KRC 
211 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

PRESENTED  BY 

PROF.  CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 

MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOFOID 


HJ11 

■py— "■■  '  jje  ■ 

^   ■—  r...,^                   yiiuji  ^  "Tg^^^M 

'■>/ " 

X&Jf, 

ytggy  "^'  ^ 

"■—- -^"."^f  (i 

^tf^^^  ~~ 

AN 

ACCOUNT 

OF  THE 


iftaltjpattt  Jf  eta, 

WHICH   PREVAILED    IN    THE   CITY    OF    NEW-YOl 
DURING    THE  AUTUMN   OF 

1805. 


CONTAINING, 


1.  The  Proceedings  of  the 
Board  of  Health,  to  prevent  the 
introduction  of  Malignant  Fever. 

2.  The  rise,  progress,  and  de- 
cline of  the  late  epidemic. 

3.  An  Account  of  the  Marine  & 
Bellevue  Hospitals,  with  the  num- 
ber of  patients  received,  and  deaths 
which  have  occurred,  at  each  of 
tbe.-,e  establishments,  during  the 
sickly  season. 

4.  Record  of  deaths,  &c.  &c. 


5.  Opinion  of  several  eminent 
Physicians,  respecting  the  cause  of 
Malignant  Fever,  n  several  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  United  States. 

6.  The  situation  of  the  convicts 
in  the  State-Prison,  with  respect  to 
health  during  the  last  summer. 

7.  Desultory  observations  and 
reflections. 

8.  The  various  modes  of  cure 
adopted  in  the  Malignant  Fever. 


BY  JAMES  HARDIE, 

SECRETARY  TO  THE  BOARD  OF  HEALTH 


NEW-YORK ; 
PRINTED  BY  SOUTH  WICK  If  HARDCASTLE, 


NO. 2,  WALL-STREET. 

MVJ90f....i 


IV 1 

f3, 


DEDICATION. 

TO    THE    HONORABLE    DE    WITT    CLINTON,    ESQ. 

mayor  of  the  city  of  new- york. 

Sir, 
//  has,  from  time  immemorial,  been  it  si; 
ters  of  Books  and  Pamphlets  to  dedicate  their  respective 
performances  to  such  persons  of  influence  and  respecta- 
bility in  society,  as  they  thought  they' might  take  such  a 
liberty  with,  without  giving  offence.  In  addresses 
of  this  nature,  however,  s*  much  fulsome  adulation  is 
generally  heaped  upon  the  patron,as  none  but  a  sycophant 
could  write,  and  a  republican  could  not  peruse  without 
disgust.  In  this  manner,  I  shall  not  transgress  ;  but  the 
occasion  surely  requires,  nor  docs  delicacy  forbid  me  to 
record,  that,  during  the  last  spring  and  early  part  of 
the  summer,  you,  with  the  greatest  vigilance  and  assidu^ 
ity,  exercised  every  power  vested  in  you  by  law,  for  the 
purpose  of  preventing  the  origin  or  introduction  of  ma- 
lignant fever  into  our  city ;  that  after  the  commencement 
of  that  cruel  disorder,  you  were  never  absent  from  your 
post,  as  President  of  the  Board  of  Health,  even  for  a 
single  hour ;  and  that  it  was  your  highest  ambition 
in  conjunction  with  the  other  respectable  members  of 
that  body  to  use  your  utmost  exertions  in  bringing 
about  such  measures,  as  seemed  best  calculated  to  miti- 
gate the  distresses  of  the  poor  and  afflicted,  to  secure  the 
property  of  the  citizens  and  to  maintain  the  peace  and 
tranquility  of  this  great  metropolis ;  and  that  your  efforts 
to  accomplish  objects  of  such  vast  importance  to  the  com- 
munity were  crowned  with  a  success,  which  the  most  san- 
guine could  not  have  expected  is  so  well  known,  that  even 
your  political  opponents  forgetting  the  distinction  of  par- 
ty, cheerfully  coincide  in  opinion  with  your  friends,  that 


IV 


you  acted  in  such  a  manner  as  to  merit  the  honourable 
appellation  of  FATHER  OF  THE  CITY. 

That  you  may  long,  continue  to  Jill  a  distinguish- 
ed station  in  which  you  may  have  it  in  your  power  t& 
promote  the  interest  of  your  constituents,  and  receive  the 
patriots  best  reward,  the  approbation  of  your  country- 
men,  is  the  sincere  wish  of 

Sir, 

Your  much  obliged, 
most  obedient,  and 

'very  humble  servant, 

JAMES  HARDIE. 
New-York,  December  1805. 


PREFACE. 


THE  Malignant  Fever,  which  has  of  late  years, 
been  so  prevalent,  in  different  parts  of  the  United 
States,  has  unfortunately  been  the  cause  of  more  dis- 
putes between  physicians  of  respectability,  than  any 
other  disease  which  has  afflicted  the  human  species, 
within  the  last  century. 

Although  the  great  question,  whether  the  disease 
is  imported  from  abroad  and  contagions,  or  of  local 
origin,  aud  non-contagious,  has  been  agitated,  for 
many  years,  amongst  practitioners  in  the  West-India 
islands,  and  in  the  southern  parts  of  Europe  ;  yet,  if 
I  am  rightly  informed,  it  did  not  become  the  subject 
of  much  discussion,  amongst  medical  gentlemen  in 
this  country,  till  the  autumn  of  1/93,  when  the  city 
of  Philadelphia  was  afflicted  with  a  Pestilential  Fever, 
which,  in  respect  to  its  mortality,  has  never  been 
equalled  by  any  endemic  or  epidemic ',  which  has  since 
that  time  appeared,  in  any  port  or  place  of  the  Unit- 
States.  Upon  the  close  of  that  calamity,  various 
publications  appeared  in  Philadelphia,  written  by  gen- 
tlemen highly  respected  for  their  literary  and  profes- 
sional abilities,  some  of  whom  espoused  one  side  of 
the  question,  and  some  the  other ;  and  since  that  pe- 
riod, a  vast  number  of  pamphlets  and  several  volumes 
upon  the  same  controversy,  have  issued  from  the 
press  in  many  parts  of  the  United  States.  Many  ex- 
cellent essays,  have,  likewise,  appeared  in  our  public 
prints,  written  with  a  view  to  elucidate  the  subject, 
but  still,it  is  to  be  regretted,  that  the  point  remains  un- 
settled, and  our  citizens  are  in  general  as  much  in  the 
dark,  respecting  the  cause  and  origin  of  pestilence  as 
ever, 


VI 


It  is  not  because  I  have  been  greatly  conversant 
amongst  the  sick  in  every  malignant  fever,  with 
which  our  city  has  been  afflicted  since  the  year  1798, 
and  that  during  these  years  I  have  thought  and  con- 
versed much  with  intelligent  men  upon  the  subject, 
that  I  have  been  induced  to  submit  the  following 
sheets  to  the  public.  Indeed,  since  the  first,  and 
most  eminent  physicians  in  America,  notwithstand- 
ing all  their  exertions,  have  not  been  able  to  satisfy 
their  fellow  citizens  with  respect  to  the  origin  or  na- 
ture of  the  disease,  it  would  certainly  have  been  un- 
pardonable vanity  in  me  to  have  thought,  even  for  a 
moment,  that  any  thing  could  flow  from  my  pen, 
which  could  settle"  the  matter  in  difference. 

From  the  nature  of  my  official  situation,  however, 
during  the  last  season,  I  was  acquainted  with  all  the 
proceedings  of  the  Board  of  Health,  and  being  persuad- 
ed that  a  summary  thereof,  would  be  highly  gratifying 
to  our  fellow  citizens,  I  respectfully  present  them  with 
the  following.  Several  of  our  physicians  were,  like- 
wise, pleased  to  furnish  the  Board  with  their  obser- 
vations respecting  the  nature  of  the  first  cases  of  the 
disease  in  this  city.  On  whatever  side  of  the  ques- 
tion their  opinions  lay,  I  have  placed  them  before  the 
public  without  reserve,  thus  affording  an  opportunity 
to  those  who  wish  to  decide  impartially,  the  more  ef- 
fectually to  judge  for  themselves;  and  I  have  like- 
wise, acted  in  the  same  manner  with  respect  to  com- 
munications respecting  the  origin  of  pestilence  in 
other  ports  and  places  of  the  United  States.  The 
list,  containing  the  names  of  the  dead  and  some  other 
tables  connected  therewith,  it  is  hoped,  will  be  found 
accurate  and  interesting.  The  chapter  containing 
desultory  observations  and  reflections,  comprises  a 
number  of  particulars  which  have  come  under  my 
own  cognizance.  They  are  not  advanced  with  a 
view  to  support  any  particular  theory ;  but  merely 
to  record  Jacts,  from  which  the  intelligent  reader  can 


Vll 

draw  his  own  conclusions.     It  is,  therefore,  hoped, 
they  will  be  received  with  candour. 

Upon  the  whole,  however,  on  taking  a  retrospective 
view  of  the  different  opinions,  which  have  been  ad- 
vanced this  season,  by  the  most  eminent  physicians, 
respecting  the  matter  in  dispute,  it  may  be  observed, 
that  though  those  gentlemen  who  advocate  the  doc- 
trine of  importation  and  contagion,  consider,  in  op- 
position to  their  opponents,  our  present  quarantine 
laws  as  very  defective  and  susceptible  of  much  legis- 
lative improvement;  \et  they  readily  agree  with, 
them,  that  token  the  disease  has  once  been  introduced, 
offensive  privies,  filthy  streets,  foul  docks,  putrid  ani- 
mal and  vegetable  substances,  &c.  tend  greatly  to 
spread  and  propagate  the  disease.  Since,  there- 
fore, we  have,  as  yet,  bad  no  proof  sufficiently  satis- 
factory to  the  public  mind,  to  which  of  the  two  sour- 
ces the  evil  with  which  we  have  been  afflicted  is  to  be 
attributed,  is  it  not  the  wisest  and  best  policy  to 
suppose,  that  it  may  proceed  from  either  ? 

Should  we  be  influenced  by  a  belief  of  this  kind,  a 
wise  and  intelligent  legislature,  upon  due  represent- 
ation, will  undoubtedly  render  the  quarantine  law  s, 
so  much  more  efficient  and  rigorous,  as  to  preclude 
the  importation  of  the  disease  from  abroad  ;  and 
such  undoubtedly  will  be  the  vigilance  of  our  Board 
of  Health,  that  for  the  sake  of  themselves  as  well  as 
of  their  fellow-citizens,  they  will  assiduously  endea- 
vour to  remove  every  cause  of  impurity,  which  can 
be  supposed  to  engender  or  propagate  it  from  with- 
in. Proceeding  in  this  manner  and  living,  in  all  re- 
spects, conformably  to  the  nature  of  the  climate, 
which  we  inhabit,  may  we  not  expect,  under  the 
blessings  of  Divine  Providence,  an  absolute  exemp- 
tion from  the  disease  commonly  called  Yellow  Fever, 
which  has  for  so  many  years,  been  the  scourge  and 
terror  of  our  country  *? 

JAMES  HARDIE. 


STORY 


OF   THE 


MALIGNANT  FEVER 


CHAPTER  I. 

OF  THE  PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  HEALTH,  TO 
PREVENT  THE  INTRODUCTION  OF  MALIGNANT  FEVER. 

BEFORE  I  enter  upon  this  subject,  it  will,  no 
doubt,  be  deemed  interesting  to  many  of  my  readers, 
to  be  informed  with  what  powers  the  Board  of  Flealth 
are,  by  law,  invested,  as  they  will  thus  be  better  able 
to  decide,  whether  that  body  have  not  done  every 
thing  which  they  legally  could,  or  which,  indeed, 
could  reasonably  be  expected  of  them  to  prevent 
the  introduction  or  origin  of  so  dreadful  a  calamity. 

It  is  weil  known  that  the  public  opinion  has,  for 
a  long  time,  been  greatly  divided  with  respect  to 
the  important  question — Whether  the  Malignant  or 
Yellow  Fever,  with  which  we  have,  of  late  years, 
been  so  grievously  afflicted,  be  of  domestic  origin  or 
imported  ?  Physicians  of  the  first  eminence,  have 
espoused  opposite  sides.  It  was,  therefore,  the  wis- 
est policy  tor  the  Legislature,  in  forming  the  health 
laws,  and  for  those  entrusted  with  the  execution  of 
them,  to  act  as  if  they  believed,  that  the  evil  might 
proceed  from  either  source  -}  and,  I  doubt  not,  that  it 
will  be  evident  to  most  reflecting  persons,  that  they 
have  conducted  themselves  in  this  manner. 


10 

The  Corporation  of  the  city,  about  the  beginning 
of  the  present  year,  had  deemed  that  it  would  contri- 
bute to  the  public  health,  if,  instead  of  a  Health  Com- 
mittee, which  it  had  heretofore  been  usual  for  them 
to  appoint,  as  occasion  required,  a  Board  should  be 
appointed,  with  more  full  and  ample  powers.  A 
draft  of  a  bill,  for  that  purpose,  was  accordingly 
transmitted  to  the  Legislature  and  passed,  as  fol- 
lows ; 

AN  ACT, 

RELATIVE    TO    THE     PUBLIC     HEALTH    IN    THE    CITY    OF    NEW 
YORK — PASSED  9th  MARCH,  1805. 

1 .  Be  it  enacted  by  the  People  of  the  State  of  New- 

York,  represented  in  Senate  and  Assembly,  That  the 

rs  granted  in  and  by  the  thirty-first  and  thirty - 

A  sections*  of  the  act,  entitled  "  an  act  to  pro- 


*  7  he  following  are  the  sections  alluded  to  : 

"XXXL  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  it 
shall  be  lawful  for  tlie  said  commissioners  of  the 
health-office  or  a  maj  #!ty  of  them,  as  they  shall 
judge  advisable,  to  make  and  execute  the  rules  and 
orders  for  cleansing  and  scouring  the  streets,  alleys, 
,  curtilages,  sewers,  yards,  cellars,  vaults, 
sinks,  and  other  places,  where  filth  and  corruption 
collect,  wit  bin  the  said  city,  and  for  removing  all  of- 
fensive, noxious,    or   putrid   articles  or  substances 

i  may  be  stored,  or  otherwise  collected,  within 
the  said  city  ;    and  all  necessary  expences  for  carry- 

.o  said  rales  and  orders  into  effect,  where  the 
same  relate  to  the  cleansing  of  such  places  as  are 
not  the  property  of  private  individuals,  shall  be 
deemed  as  part  of  the  contingent  expences  of  the 
said  city,  and  the  monies  for  defraying  the  same  shall 
be  raised  in  like  manner  as  the  other  contingent  ex- 


11 

vide  against  infectious  and  pestilential  diseases,"  to 
the  commissioners  of  the  Health-Office,  be  and  here- 


pences  of  the  the  said  city  ;  and  where  the  same 
shall  relate  to  the  cleansing  such  places  as  are  the 
property  of  individuals,  such  expences  shall  be  paid 
by  the  owners  or  occupiers  thereof;  Provided,  All 
such  rules  and  orders  shall  be  reported  to  and  may  be 
suspended  or  repealed  at  any  time  by  the  person 
administering  the  government  of  this  State. 

"  XXXII.  And  be  it  Jurther  enacted,  That 
whenever  the  city  of  New- York  or  any  part  thereof 
shall  be  annoyed  or  rendered  foul  by  any  manufac- 
tory, trade,  work,  or  business,  producing  noxious  va- 
pours or  highly  offensive  smells,  or  by  any  place  where 
noxious  or  putrid  substances  shall  be  stored  or  col- 
lected within  the  said  city,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
said  commissioners,  or  a  majority  of  them,  if  in  their 
opinion,  the  public  health  or  that  of  individuals  shall 
be  endangered  thereby,  to  proceed  forthwith  to  such 
place  or  places  and  to  make  due  inquiry  and  strict 
examination  respecting  the  same  ;  and  that  it  shall 
be  lawful  for  them  or  either  of  them  whenever  it 
may  be  necessary,  to  require  the  aid  or  assistance  of 
a  justice  of  the  peace  and  constable  in  making  of 
such  inquiry  and  examination,  who  are  hereby  au- 
thorised and  required  to  break  open,  whenever  ad- 
mittance cannot  otherwise  be  obtained,  the  iicoror 
doors  of  such  place  where  such  manufactory,  trade, 
work  or  business  is  carried  on,  producing  or  afford- 
ing such  noxious  vapour  or  highly  offensive  smell,  or 
where  such  offensive  substances  are  deposited;  and 
if  the  said  commissioners  or  a  majority  oi  them 
judge,  any  such  manufactory,  trade,  work,  business 
or  repository  to  be  carried  on  or  kept  in  such  manner 
as  to  be  a  nuisance,  they  shall  declare  it  so  in  writ- 
ing to  the  o\yner  thereof,  or,  in  his  absence,  to  such 


it 

by  are  transferred  to  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and 
.  monalty  of  the  city  of  New-York.  And  that 
the  said  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Commonalty  shall 
have  power,  in  their  discretion,  to  remove  or  order 
the  removal  of  all  persons  and  things,  within  the 
said  city,  infected  by  or  tainted  with  pestilential  mat- 


workman,  clerk,  keeper,  or  one  of  the  family  as  they 
may  then  find  on  the  premises,  and,  at  the  ^ame  time, 
shall  require  the  removal,  abatement  or  discontinu- 
ance of  the  said  nuisance,  as  the  case  may  lequire, 
within  the  time  to  be  limited  in  the  said  writing;  and 
if,  on  t he  expiration  of  the  said  time,  the  same  order 
shall  not  have  been  complied  with,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  mayor  cr  recorder  of  the  said  city,  upon 
representation  thereof  to  either  of  them  made  by  the 
said  commishioners,  or  a  majority  of  them,  imme- 
diately to  issue  a  warrant  under  the  hand  and  seal 
of  the  said  mayor  or  recorder,  directed  to  the  sheriff 
of  the  said  city,  commanding  him  forthwith  without 
delay  to  cause  to  be  removed,  abated  or  discontinued 
such  nuisance;  and  the  person  to  whom  such  decla- 
ration and  requisition  in  writing  as  aforesaid  shall 
be  made,  shall  besides  for  not  complying  therewith, 
be  considered  us  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and  on 
complaint  being  made  thereof  in  writing  by  any  one 
or  more  of  the  said  commissioners  to  any  one  of  the 
justices  c  -  uee  of  the  said  city,  it  shall  be  the 

duty  of  such  justice  to  bind  the  person  so  complained 
of  in  a  recognizance  with  sufficient  surety  in  the 
sum  of  two  hundred  dollars,  for  his  appearance  at  the 
next  general  sessions  of  the  peace  in  the  said  city,  to 
answer  to  the  s&:d  charge,  and  on  due  proof  thereof 
it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  said  court  to  impose  a  fine 
on  the  person  or  persons  so  offending,  in  a  sum  not 
exceeding  one  hundred  dollars,  out  of  which  fine  the 
€xpences  of  removing,  abating  or  causing  to  be  dis- 
continued such  nuisance  shall  be  paid." 


13 

ter,  to  such  place  or  places  as  may,  in  their  opinion* 
most  conduce  to  the  preservation  of  the  health  of  the 
said  city  ;  and  that  such  penalties  may  be  contained 
in  such  bye-iau\s  or  ordinances,  relative  to  the  pow- 
ers hereby  granted,  as  the  said  Mayor,  Aldermen 
and  Commonalty  shall,  from  time  to  time,  judge  pro- 
per, in  order  to  enforce  a  prompt  and  punctual  com- 
pliance with  the  same,  and  for  the  punishment  of  all 
offenders  in  the  premises,  not  exceeding  one  hun- 
dred dollars  for  each  offence. 

c2.  And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  it  "shall  and 
may  be  lawful  for  the  said  Mayor,  Aldermen  and 
Commonalty,  to  institute,  from  time  to  time,  a 
Board  of  Health  for  the  said  city,  consisting  of  the 
commissioners  of  the  health-office,  and  such  othef 
persons  as  they  may  think  proper,  and  to  invest  the 
said  hoard  with  such  cf  the  powers  of  the  said  W 
or,  AKL  :id  Commonalty,  in  relation  to  the 

public  health?  as  they  may    judge'  proper,  and   to 
enforce  a  compliance  with  the  orders  of  said  be 
by  the   infliction  of  penalties,   not  exceeding 
thousand  dollars,  for  each  offence. 

3.  And  whereas  doubts  may  exist,  whether 
sels  described   in  the  second  section  of  the  act,  sup- 
plementary to  an  act,  entitled   "  An  act  to  provide 
against  infectious  and  pestilential  diseases  may  not 
be  permitted,  after  being  discharged  of  their  cai ; 

to  approach  within  three  hundred  yards  of  the  island 
of  New- York  ;   therefore, 

Be  it  further  enacted,  That  such  permission  shall 
not,  in  any  case,  be  granted.  \ 

4.  And  be  it  farther  enacted,  That  it  shall  be  m 
the  power  of  the  Mayor  of  the  said  city,  or  of  the 
Board  of  Health,  to  order  to  the  quarantine  ground, 
or  some  other  place  of  safety,  any  vessel  or  vessels 


14 

at  the  wharves,  or  in  the  vicinity  of  the  said  city, 
which  he  or  they  may  deem  prejudicial  to  the  pub- 
lic health  ;  and  in  case  any  master,  owner  or  con- 
signee of  such  vessel  shall  refuse  or  neglect  to  obey 
such  orders,  the  person  so  offending  shall  be  consi- 
dered guilty  of  a  misdemeanor  and  shall  be  fined  in  a 
sum  not  exceeding  one  thousand  dollars,  or  impri- 
soned lor  a  term  not  exceeding  twelve  months,  in 
such  case  ;  and  also,  in  case  the  master,  owner  or 
consignee  cannot  be  found,  the  Mayor  of  the  City 
of  New-York,  or  the  Board  of  Health  shall  have 
power  to  remove  as  aforesaid,  such  vessel  or  vessels 
at  the  expence  of  the  master,  owner  or  consignee. 

5.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  if  any  surplus 
money  shall,  in  future,  remain  in  the  hands  of  the 
commissioners  of  the  Health-Office,  after  each  an- 
nual accounting  with  the  comptroller  of  the  state,  the 
same  shall  be  paid  to  the  Board  of  Health  of  the  said 
city,  to  be  by  them  applied  to  promote  the  objects 
of  tbat  institution." 

On  the  23th  of  March  the  Common  Council  re- 
solved, that  the  Mayor,  Recorder,  and  the  Alder- 
men, of  the  first  five  wards,  together  with  the  Com- 
missioners of  the  Health-Office  should  be  appointed 
a  Board  of  Health,  in  conformity  to  the  preceding 
law.  The  number  was,  sometime  thereafter,  ex- 
tended, so  as  to  comprehend  the  Aldermen  of  all 
the  nine  wards,  and  the  city  inspector,  and  when 
the  citizens  began  to  flee,  in  consequence  of  the 
sickness,  it  was  deemed  expedient,  that  the  assistants 
of  the  different  wards  should,  likewise,  be  added. 

On  the  3d  of  April,  the  Board  having  met  and 
being  organized,  agreeably  to  the  act  aforesaid,  elect- 
ed Jacob  Delamontagnie,  Esq.  as  their  Treasurer, 
and  James  Hardie  as  their  Secretary  and  Agent. 
At  the  same  meeting,  a  committee  was  likewise  ap- 


pointed  to  draft  an  ordinance  for  transferring  such 
powers  from  the  corporation  to  the  board,  as  it  might 
be  deemed  necessary,  that  they  should  be  invested 
with  Far  the  preservation  of  the  public  health,  and  for 
enforcing  the  orders  and  regulations  of  said  board. 
In  consequence  of  which,  the  following  was  presented 
to  the  board  on  the  15th  April,  and  at  the  next  meet- 
ing of  the  Common  Council  passed  into  a  law. 


A  LAW 

FOR    THE    ESTABLISHMENT    OF    A    BOARD    OF    HEALTH. 

Whereas  by  an  act  of  the  legislature  of  this  state, 
entitled,  "  An  act  relative  to  the  public  heal 
the  city  of  New-York,"  passed  the  ninth  day  of 
March,  1805,  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Common- 
alty of  said  city,  are  empowered  to  institute,  from 
time  to  time,  a  Board  of  Health  for  the  said  city,  con- 
sisting of  the  Commissioners  of  the  Health-Office,  and 
such  other  persons  as  they  may  think  proper,  and  to 
invest  the  said  board  with  such  of  the  said  powers  of 
the  said  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Commonalty,  in  re- 
lation to  the  public  health,  as  they  may  judge  pro- 
per, and  to  enforce  compliance  with  the  orders  of  the 
said  board,  by  the  infliction  of  penalties,  not  exceed- 
ing one  thousand  dollars,  for  each  offence  :  therefore, 

1.  Be  it  ordained  by  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and 
Commonalty  of  the  city  of  New-York,  in  Common 
Council  convened,  That  a  Board  of  Health  shall  be 
and  is  hereby  instituted  to  consist  of  the  Commis- 
sioners of  the  Health-Office,  and  of  the  Mayor,  Re- 
corder and  Aldermen  of  the  city,  who  shall  assemble 
at  such  time  and  place  and  as  often  as  they  may  judge 
proper,  to  superintend  and  carry  into  effect  all  laws 
and  ordinances  of  this  state  and  of  the  Common  Coun- 
cil, which  at  present  exist  or  may  hereafter  be  passed, 
providing  against  infectious  and  pestilential  diseases, 


16 

or  which  relate  to  the  public  health  of  this  city. 
And  the  said  board  are  hereby  invested  with  all  the 
powers  of  the  said  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Common- 
alty of  the  city,  which  regard  the  public  health  of  said 
city,  to  be  by  them  exercised  in  such  manner  as,  in 
their  judgment  and  discretion,  may  best  promote  f  lie 
important  objects  for  which  the  said  board  is  insti- 
tuted, and  that  any  five  of  the  said  board  shall  be  a 
quorum  to  transact  business. 

2.  And  be  it  further  ordained,  That  the  said 
Board  of  Health  shall  make  diligent  enquiry  with  re- 
spect to  all  nuisances  that  may  exist,  and  which  they 
may  deem  obnoxious  to  the  health  and  lives  of  the 
inhabitants  of  this  city,  and  shall  have  full  power  to 
order  the  removal  of  the  same  at  their  discretion,  un- 
der the  several  penalties  in  such  case  made  and  pro- 
vided. 

3.  And  be  it  further  ordained,  That  the  said 
Board  of  Health  may  provide  or  erect  a  suitable  of- 
fice for  their  accommodation,  on  the  public  ground 
or  elsewhere,  and  during  the  existence  of  any  epi- 
demical disease,  or  upon  its  probable  approach,  shall 
have  power  at  the  public  expence,  to  open  the  hos- 
pital at  Bellevue,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  sick, 
and  to  make  such  rules  and  regulations  for  their  re- 
ception, and  also  to  determine  what  persons  shall 
be  entitled  to  admission,  as  they  may  think  proper ; 
and  moreover,  that  the  said  board  of  health,  during 
the  existance  of  any  epidemic,  shall  have  power 
to  furnish  and  employ  physicians,  nurses,  medicines, 
and  other  necessaries,  not  only  for  the  use  of  the  sick 
who  shall  have  been  removed  into  the  the  said  hos- 
pital, but  also  for  the  use  of  the  sick  and  indigent  of 
the  city. 

4.  And  be  it  further  ordained,  That  the  said  Board 
of  Health  shall  have  power  in  their  discretion  to  re- 
move or  order  the  removal  of  all  persons  and  things 


17 

within  the  said  city,  infected  by  or  tainted  with  pesti- 
lential matter,  to  such  place  or  places  as  may  in 
their  opinion  most  conduce  to  the  preservation  of  the 
health  of  this  city,  and  in  order  to  enforce  a  prompt 
and  punctual  compliance  with  the  said  order,  all  of- 
fenders in  the  premises  shall  be  subject  to  a  penalty 
not  exceeding  one  hundred  dollars  for  each  offence. 

5.  "  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  city  inspector  and  his  assistant,  to  attend 
the  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Health,  and  to  be  sub- 
ject to  such  instructions  as  may  be  given  to  them  in 
relation  to  nuisauces,  and  to  execute  the  several  re- 
solutions and  orders  of  the  said  board." 

Having  thus  laid  before  my  readers,  the  act  of  the 
state,  and  the  ordinance  of  the  Corporation,  for  the 
appointment  of  a  Board  of  Health,  I  now  proceed 
to  relate  the  measures  which  were  adopted  by  that 
body,  to  prevent  the  introduction  of  pestilence. 

During  the  winter,  four  discreet  persons  had  been 
appointed  to  examine  into  the  state  of  ail  the  pri- 
vies, within  the  first  seven  wards,  and  to  report  their 
condition  to  the  City  Inspector,  by  whom  ordi- 
nances were  prepared,  and  afterwards  passed  by  the 
Common  Council,  for  cleansing  all  such,  the  con- 
tents of  which  arose  to  within  three  feet  of  the  sur- 
face of  the  earth.  This  duty  was  performed  with 
great  assiduity  and  attention,  and  though  there  were, 
no  doubt,  a  few,  who  contrived  to  evade  these  ordi- 
nances, it  is  certain,  that,  in  by  far  the  greater  num- 
ber of  instances,  they  were  complied  with. 

On  the  loth  of  April,  his  Honour  the  Mayor  stat- 
ed to  the  Beard  of  Health,  that  he  had  received  a 
deposition  concerning  the  health  of  Point  Pet  re,'  of 
which  the  following  is  a  copy. 

c 


IS 


*  deposes,  that  he  left,  Point  Pet  re  en 


the  Oth  of  March,  in  the ,  and  arrived  here  on 

Friday  evening  last ;  that  a  Malignant  or  Yellow 
Fever  prevailed  there  to  an  alarming  extent,  princi- 
pally on  board  of  the  shipping,  the  persons  infected 
with  it,  dying  within  12  or  14  hours  after  being 
taken,  if  they  did  not  recover ;  that  the  deponent  and 
all  his  hands  were  sick,  except  one  ;  but  that  they 
all  recovered  ;  that  the  disease  was  generally  attend- 
ed with  black  vomit,  and  that  it  had  considerably 
abated  four  or  five  days  previous  to  the  deponent's 
departure,  two  or  three  deaths  only  occurring  at  the 
most  daily,  whereas  before  that  time,  fourteen  or 
fifteen  deaths  took  place  a  day ;  that  the  malignity  of 
the  disease  was  encreased  by  an  interdiction  of  the 
landing  of  the  sick." 

Sworn  the  15th  April,  1805,  before 

DEWITT  CLINTON. 

After  reading  the  above  deposition,  the  Mayor 
suggested  to  the  board  the  propriety  of  issuing  the 
following 

PROCLAMATION, 
By  DE  WITT  CLINTON, 

MAYOR    OF    THE    CITY    OF    KB W- YORK. 

(<  Whereas  I  have  received  information,  that  a  ma- 
lignant or  pestilential  fever  prevails  at  Point  Petre, 
in  the  island  of  Guadaloupe,  I  do,  therefore,  in  pur- 
suance of  the  authority  vested  in  me,  by  law,  direct, 
that  all  vessels  arriving  in  this  port,  from  the  said 
island  of  Guadaloupe,  be  subject  to  quarantine. 
(L.  S.)  In  witness  whereof,  &c. 

15th  April,  1805, 

DE  WITT  CLINTON." 

*  As  masters  of  vessels  and  others,  who  give  information  concerning 
the  health  of  foreign  places,  might  be  unwilling  that  their  names  should 
appear  in  public,  it  is  deemed  expedient,  in  general,  to  suppress  them. 


19 

The  board  unanimously  resolved,  that  it  was  ex- 
pedient, that  the  said  proclamation  should  be  imme- 
diately published. 

On  the  18th  April,  three  vessels  were  sent  down 
to  the  quarantine  ground  ;  the  reason  for  which  will 
be  seen  from  the  following  extract  of  a  letter  from 
the  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Health  to  the  Health- 
Officer,  at  Staten-Island. 

"  Complaints  had  been  made  to  the  Resident  Phy- 
sician, with  respect  to  the  foul  situation  of  the  ship 
General  Wayne,  from  Toningen.  The  schooner 
John  had,  likewise,  been  stated  to  have  come  from 
Point  Petre,  a  sickly  port  in  the  West  Indies,  and  the 
ship  Betsey,  from  Jamaica,  had  by  the  confession  of 
the  captain,  (M'Dougal)  lost  two  of  her  crew  by 
sickness,  at  Savannah-la- Mar,  the  port  which  they 
had  last  left,  and  also  two  others,  dining  their  passage 
to  this  city. 

"  I  accompanied  the  Resident  Physician,  this 
morning,  on  board  the  John,  where  he  gave  orders, 
that  she  should  be  immediately  removed  to 
stream,  to  the  distance  of  at  least  three  hundred 
yards  from  the  wharf.  We,*likewise,  went  on  board 
the  Betsey,  where  the  Doctor  gave  similar  orders,  as 
iii  the  case  above-mentioned.  With  respect  to  the 
ship  General  Wayne,  directions  were  given  to  Mr. 
Grant  Forbes,  the  gentleman  to  whom  that  \t 
was  consigned,  to  cause  her  to  be  sent  to  the  quaran- 
tine ground  without  delay. "  All  these  orders  were 
promptly  executed. 

The  following  letter  written  by  direction  of  the 
Mayor  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Health  of 
Philadelphia,  will  shew  the  extreme  anxiety  and  at- 
tention of  that  vigilant  magistrate  to  obtain  such  in- 
formation, not  only  within  our  own  port,  but  likewise 


20 

from  other  places,  as  might  be  useful  in  preventing 
the  scourge  of  pestilence. 

"  Office  of  the  Board  of  Health, 
New- York,  19th  April,  1805. 
«  Sir, 
CJ  The  friendly  correspondence  which  took  place 
last  season,  between  the  Boards  of  Health  of  Phila- 
delphia and  this  city,  and  which  was  unquestionably 
productive  of  reciprocal  benefit,  has  induced  his  Ho- 
nour the  Mayor  to  instruct  me  to  solicit  its  revival. 

"  With  this  -view,  he  has  directed  me  to  assure 
your  board,  that  a  full  and  candid  disclosure  of  all 
facts;  within  our  knowledge,  relative  to  the  objects 
of  our  appointment,  shall  be  strictly  adhered  to  on 
our  part,  in  the  correspondence,  as  we  are  fully  per- 
suaded it  will  be  on  yours. 

Cf  I  inclose  you  the  affidavit,  on  which  the  Mayor's 
late  proclamation,  restricting  vessels  from  Guada- 
loupe  was  founded,  and  have,  likewise,  to  inform  you 
of  the  case  of  the  ship  Betsey  from  Savamiahda-Mar, 
which  arrived  at  this  port  a  few  days  ago.  The  cap- 
tain (M'Dougal)  states,  that  while  at  Jamaica,  he 
lost  two  of  his  crew  by  sickness,  and  two  more  on 
their  passage  to  this  place.  The  death  of  the  two 
first  was,  in  his  opinion,  to  be  attributed  to  an  in- 
flammation of  the  bowels,  occasioned  by  their  fre- 
quent exposure  to  damps  and  rains,  in  the  woods, 
where  they  concealed  themselves  in  order  to  avoid 
'  <  impressed  by  the  British.  One  of  the  others 
died  after  an  indisposition  of  about  four  hours,  and 
from  the  manner  in  which  the  captain  described  the 
symptoms  attending  the  fourth,  the  Resident  Phy- 
sician was  induced  to  apprehend,  that  he  might  have 
died  of  Malignant  Fever.* 

*  I  he  captain  asserted,  that  at  the  time  he  left  Savannah-la-Mar,  it 
was  remarkably  healthy,  and  subsequent  information  from  that  port* 
shewed  that  lie" was  perfectly  correct. 


21 

"  Although,  at  this  early'period  of  the  season,  it  is 

not  probable  that  imminent  danger  was  to  be  appre- 
hended from  a  circumstance  of  this  nature,  the  Health 
Commissioners  thought  it  most  prudent  to  send 
Betsey  to  the  quarantine  ground,  from  the  ? 
where  she  now  lies,  as  also  the  ship  General  W<»yne, 
which  lately  arrived  here  in  a  foul  state,  with  passen- 
gers, from  Toningeu. 

"  The  alarming  indications,  which  have  taken  place 
thus  early,  and  the  transfer  of  the  seat  of  war 
Europe  to  the  West-Indies  inculcate- the  abs  ■■-■lute 
necessity  of  adopting  all  t\\e  precautionary  me;i 
in  oiu  power  ;  but  while  our  conduct  will  be  mark- 
ed by  a  spirit  of  this  kind,  we  shall  never  lose  sight 
of  the  respect  we  entertain  for  your  board,  nor  of  the 
duties  we  owe  to  your  city. 

With  great  respect, 
I  am,  kc. 

JAMES  BARDIE,  SecVy. 

To  Dr.  James  ReynpWfj  becre^arv,  ) 
Board  of  Health,  Philadelphia.      ) 

A  polite  acknowledgment  of  the  aforesaid  letter 
was.  soon  after  received,  in  which  a  scrupulous 
transmission  of  every  circumstance  that  should  come 
to  their  knowledge  of  the  existence  of  yellow  i'e\er9 
either  among  themselves,  or  elsewhere,was  promised. 

Altho'  as  yet,  no  sicknesshad  appeared  or  even  been 
supposed  to  exist  in  the  city,  the  board  deeming  it 
expedient  to  take  every  precaution  against  the  worst 
that  might  happen,  proposed  to  the  common  coun- 
cil the  adoption  of  the  toll  -wing  resolution  : 

"  Besolved,  That  the  buildings  and  grounds  be- 
longing to  the  corporation  at  Bel  ievue,  be  put  under 
the  direction  of  the  Board  oi  Health,  and  that  tfc 
authorized  to  make  such  repafcs  for  the 


22 


©f  the  buildings,  and  the  accommodation  of  such  sick 
persons,  as  may  be  sent  there  by  the  said  board.*' 

The  resolution  was  accordingly  agreed  to,  and  di- 
rections were  given,  on  the  18th  day  of  May  follow- 
ing, to  the  Superintendant  of  Public  Works,  to  pro- 
ceed as  speedily  as  possible  to  make  the  necessary 
repairs. 

The  experience  of  former  sickly  seasons  having 
sufficiently  taught  us,  that  a  very  great  proportion  of 
eases  of  Malignant  Fever  occurred  in  such  taverns 
and  boarding-houses,  as  were  kept  in  a  filthy  state, 
and  were  generally  overcrouded  by  lodgers,  in  order 
to  obviate  this  evil  as  much  as  possible,  it  was  deem- 
ed expedient  to  appoint  an  additional  assistant  to  the 
City  Inspector,  who  should  have  it  in  charge  to  pay 
particular  attention  to  that  business.  In  the  mean 
time,  care  was  taken  to  remove  every  nuisance 
which  could  be  discovered>  with  all  possible  dispatch. 

It  is  to  be  observed,  that  all  vessels  coming  from 
the  West-Indies,  and  certain  other  places,  between 
the  1st  day  of  June  and  1st  of  October,  in  any 
one  year,  are  by  law  prohibited,  from  approaching 
within  three  hundred  yards  of  the  lower  part  of  the 
island  of  New-York;  but  by  a  subsequent  act,  the 
Mayor  or  the  Board  of  Health  are  invested  with 
authority  to  order  to  the  quarantine  ground,  or  some 
other  place  of  safety,  any  vessel  at  the  wharves,  or  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  city,  which  he  or  they  may  deem 
prejudicial  to  the  public  health,  at  any  season  of  the 
year. 

In  conformity  to  this  last  act,  on  the  23d  of  May, 
the  following  resolutions  were  passed. 

u  Nesolved,That  all  vessels  which  may  have  arrived 
at  this  port,  from  any  port  or  place  in  the  West-In- 


dies,  since  the  18th  day  of  May  instant,  be  directed 
forthwith  to  leave  the  wharves,  and  haul  out  into  the 
stream,  to  the  distance  of  at  least  three  hundred  yards 
from  that  part  of  the  island,  which  lies  southward  of 
a  line  drawn  from  the  house  owned  and  occupied  by 
William  Bayard,  on  the  north  river,  and Stuy vesant's 
dock  upon  the  east  river,  and  that  the  same  regula- 
tion shall  be  observed,  with  respect  to  all  vessels 
which  may  hereafter  arrive  from  the  West-Indies,  un- 
der the  penalty  of  being  prosecuted  according  to  law." 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  of  this  board  shall 
serve  a  notice  of  the  above  resolution  in  writing,  upon 
the  masters,  commanders,  owners,  or  consignees,  of 
all  vessels  of  the  above  description,  which  may  have 
come  to  his  knowledge.  It  was  also  resolved,  that 
the  said  resolutions  should  be  published  in  the  several 
newspapers  employed  by  tl*e  Corporation." 

In  consequence  of  the  above  resolutions,  the  Se- 
cretary, on  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  (the  23d) 
delivered  five  different  notices  to  Samuel  G.  Ogden, 
Esq.  the  owner  or  consignee  of  the  ships  Hindostan, 
Leander,  Oliver  Elsworth,  Sophrona,  and  of  the  brig 
Dolly,  and,  on  the  day  following,  served  another  to 
the  same  purport,  on  captain  James  Newell,  of  the 
ship  Clyde,  from  St.  Thomas.  All  these  vessels,  the 
Hindostan  excepted,  were  moved  to  the  stream  forth- 
with; but  owing  to  some  peculiar  difficulties  in  car- 
rying out  the  Hindostan,  she  did  not  leave  the  wharf 
till  the  evening  of  the  2?th.  It  is  evident,  however, 
that  no  mischief  arose  from  either  of  these  vessels  hav- 
ing been  at  the  wharves,  as  no  person  was  taken  sick 
of  lever,  in  the  vicinity  of  any  oftbes*  places,  at  which 
they  respectively  lay,  till  at  least  two  month*  there- 
after. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  board,  on  the  7th  June,  it  was 
stated,  that  a  man  named  Daniel  Wright,  was  sick 


24 

in  Roosevelt-street,  of  a  disease  which  was  deemed 
to  be  of  a  malignant  nature.  As  this  man's  case  was 
unfortunately  the  subject  of  a  short  controversy  be- 
tween certain  medical  gentlemen,  who  are  deserved- 
ly ranked  amongst  the  most  eminent  in  their  profes- 
sion, I  wouid  have  willingly  passed  it  over  in  silence, 
but  as  it  is  indispensably  necessary,  that  I 
should  state  how  tremblingly  alive  the  board  were  to 
every  thing,  which  might  endanger  the  public  health, 
J  cannot  consistently  with  justice  to  that  body,  omit 
recording  their  proceedings  upon  the  occasion.  Af- 
I  -:  -e  had   been  represented,  it  was  immedi- 

ately**' Ordered,  that  James  Hardie  and  John  Dela- 
r,  or  either  of  them,  cause  the  said  Daniel 
'it  to  be  immediately  removed  to  the  Marine 
I  ;  litai,  with  all  possible  precaution  for  the  safe- 
ty of  the  sick  person  and  jor  the  prevention  of  a 
spread  of  contagion  ;  that  they  cause  the  bedding  and 
cloathing  infected  or4  suspected  to  be  infected  to  be  de- 
stroyed,and  the  house  of  the  said  Daniel  Wright  to  be 
thoroughly  cleansed,  and  that  they  furnish  the  fami- 
ly of  the  said  Wright,  with  suitable  accommodations 
and  provisions  until  the  farther  order  of  the  board/' 


In  consequence  of  the  above  orders,  the  sick  per- 
son was  forthwith  sent  ro  the  marine  hospital,  and 
his  wife,  who  expressed  a  desire  to  that  purpose, 
was  readily  permitted  to  accompany  him.*  A  fea- 
ther bed,  on  which  he  had  laid,  a  straw  bed,  a  sheet 
and  bed  spread,  together  with  some  wearing  appa- 
n  i,  which  lay  upon  the  bed  were  forthwith  destroy- 
ed •  the  house  was  thoroughly  cleansed  and  white- 
washed, and  hisiive  children  committed  to  the  care 
of  Mr.  William  Davis,  a  worthy  man,  and  very  par- 
ticular friend  of  the  family. 


*  The  wives  and  relatives  of  such  persons  who  were  sent  from 
this  city  either  to  the  Marine  Hospital  or  Bellevue  were -not,  in  a  single 
instance,  refused  a  similar  priviledge. 


25 

Mr.  Wright's  illness  was  severe  and  tedious;  but 
after  some  weeks,  he,  at  last,  returned  to  the  cil  , 
good  health,  and  received  a  satisfactory  com'pr 
tion  for  that  part  of  his  property,  which  it  had  I 
deemed  necessary  to  destroy,  with  a  view  to  the  pre- 
servation oi  the  general  health  of  the  city. 

From  this  period  till  the  beginning  of  July,  nothing 
remarkable  occurred  to  the  board  ;  the  city  enjoy- 
ed good  health,  nor  did  the  citizens  appear  to  be  un- 
der the  least  alarm. 

On  the  1st  of  July,  the  Secretary  wrote  a  letter  to 
the  Mayor,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy. 

New-York,.\st  July,  1805. 
"  Sir, 
"  Complaint  having  been  made  to  me  this  morn- 
ing, that  a  sloop  was  lying,  at  the  west  side  of  the 
Old-slip,  which  emitted  so  o  e  a  smell,  as  al- 

ready to  have  occasioned  the  sickness  of  one  person, 
I  immediately  went  to  the  spot,  and  found  the  vessel 
alluded  to,  to  be  the  sloop  Polly,  of  Xew-O; leans. 

cc  With  respect  to  any  person  having  beerj  rakeri 
sick  there,  I  have  made  particular  enquiry,  and  am 
perfectly  satisfied  that  it  is  not  true  j  but  the  hold  of 
the  vessel  is  foul,  and  the  bilge-water  emits  an  offen- 
sive smell.  I  am,  therefore,  oi'  opinion,  that  this  ves- 
sel should  be  moved  to  the  distance  of  three  hundred 
yards  from  the  wharf. 

I  am,  &c. 

James  Hardie,  Sec'ry, 

Hon.  De  Witt  Clinton." 

■  In  consequence  of  the  above  letter,  the  Mayor  is- 
sued an  order,  directing  the  said  vessel  to  be  forth- 
with moved  into  the  stream  to  the  distance  afore- 
The  vessel,  however,  having  immediate!-.  tho 

IV 


26 

roughly  cleaned,  and  as  there  was  not  a  single  article 
on  board,  she  was  permitted  to  remain.  No  evil  re- 
sulted from  this  vessel. 

A  vessel  named  the  Happy  Couple,  last  from  Ha- 
lifax, had  been  detained  in  the  stream,  because  she 
had  been  cleared  out  from  St.  Mark,  a  sickly  port  in 
the  West-Indies.  A  petition,  praying  that  she  might 
be  permitted  to  come  up,  was  presented  to  the  Board 
of  Health,  on  the  21st  June.  This  was  accompa- 
nied by  the  following  deposition. 

"  Thomas  W.  Story  maketh  oath,  that  he  sailed 
in  the  brig  Happy  Couple  of  New-York,  as  master, 
from  the  port  of  St.  Mark,  in  the  island  of  Hispa- 
niola,  on  the  22d  day  of  February  last,  bound  for 
New- York,  and  on  said  passage,  said  brig  was  inter- 
cepted and  seized  as  a  prize,  by  the  British  ship  of 
war  Cambrian,  and  carried  into  Halifax,  where  this 
deponent  left  said  brig,  and  came  to  New-York  some 
time  since;  and  this  deponent  further  saith,  that  there 
was  not  any  sickness  nor  any  death  on  board  said 
brig  Happy  Couple,  at  any  time  during  said  pas- 
sage, from  St.  Marks  to  Halifax,  and  that  said  vessel 
hath  lately  arrived  at  New- York  from  Halifax,  as  he 
has  been  informed  and  believes. 

THOMAS  W.  STORY. 

Sworn  20th  June,  1805,  before  > 
John  Keese,  Public  Notary."  J 

It  being,  likewise,  made  evident  to  the  board,  from 
other  respectable  testimony,  that  the  Happy  Couple 
had  been  about  three  months  at  Halifax,  it  was  re- 
solved, that  the  Happy  Couple  cannot  be  considered 
as  a  vessel  coming  from  the  West-Indies,  and  that  she 
may,  therefore,  be  permitted  to  come  into  the  dock. 

Complaint  having  been  made  concerning  the  state 
of  the  Fiy-market-slip,  the  same  was  referred  to  the 
Street  Commissioner,  on  the  1st  of  July,  who  report- 
ed as  follows. 


27 

"  That  the  Fly-market-slip  is  now  so  much  filled 
with  mud,  as  to  stop  the  drain,  and  that  the  Super* 
intendant  of  Scavengers  believes  it  can  be  dug  out 
with  shovels,  in  the  evenings,  at  low  water,  without 
injury  to  the  health  of  the  citizens. 

"  That  the  people  who  pay  for  the  use  cf  the  slip 
for  their  market-boats,  complain  ot  the  want  of  ac- 
commodation at  the  ferry-stairs,  and  that  they  can^ 
not  land  their  goods  on  the  wharf  at  low  water. 

"  That  it  would  probably  be  well  to  cause  a  plat- 
form to  be  run  across,  on  the  head  of  the  slip,  with 
a  small  stairs  on  the  west  side  for  their  accommoda- 
tion, and  to  prevent  the  noxious  effects  upon  the  mud 
in  the  head  of  the  slip,  which  is  bare  at  half  tide." 

These  measures  were  afterwards  adopted  ;  but 
not  till  a  committee,  appointed  to  examine  into  the 
circumstances,  had  given  it  as  their  opinion,  that  it 
could  be  done  consistently  with  the  health  of  the 
city. 

But  why,  it  may  be  asked,  was  not  this  and  some 
other  slips  cleaned  before  this  period  ?  It  was  owing 
to  no  neglect  in  the  Superintendant  of  Scavengers, 
than  whom  no  man  can  be  more  attentive  to  the 
d u tie*  of  his  office ;  but  to  the  circumstance,  that 
there  was*  only  one  mud  machine,  and  that  it  could 
only  be  used  for  a  very  short  period  this  season,  as 
it  was  unusually  late  before  the  winter  broke  up. 
The  corporation,  at  so  early  a  period  as  the  24th 
January,  were  aware  that  one  machine  was  inade- 
quate for  the  purpose  of  cleaning  all  the  slips,  at  the 
proper  time  of  the  year,  and  then  advertised  for  pro- 
posals to  construct  two  additional  ones,  similar  to 
that  which  they  had  already :  but  as  no  person  could 
be  found,  who  would  contract  for  having  them  fin- 
ished, so  as  to  answer  any  purpose  this  season,  the 


28 

business  was,  for  a  time,  postponed.  Contracts, 
however,  have  been  since  formed  for  their  construc- 
tion, and  there  is  no  doubt  that  these  machines  will 
beat  work  early  next  spring,  so  that  all  the  docks 
and  slips  will  bethoroughiy  cleansed,  previous  to  the 
commencement  of  hot  weather. 

Complaints  having  been  made  that  bad  smells 
•were  emitted  from  the  vats  of  several  tanners  and 
curriers,  on  the  8th  of  July  it  was  resolved,  that  the 
existing  laws,  concerning  these  objects,  should  be 
strictly  put  in  force.  A  Committee  was,  at  the  same 
time,  appointed  to  draft  an  address  to  the  citizens, 
containing  an  abstract  of  the  laws,  which  have  been 
enacted  for  the  preservation  of  the  public  health. 
This  Committee  made  their  report  to  the  Board  on 
the  lith  following.  As  it  is  rather  long,  I,  at  first, 
doubled  the  propriety  ifcgfaiflg  it  a  place,  in  this 
publication,  but  when  I  consider  how  very  desirable 
it  is,  that  every  citizen  should  be  acquainted  with  the 
existing  laws  respecting  health,  and  that  the  perusal 
of  them  might,  likewise  be  interesting  to  strangers 
I  have  deemed  it  advisable  to  insert  it  :  — 

ADDRESS 

TO   TH-:    CITIZENS    OF   NEW-YORK. 

"  The  Board  of  Health  find  it  expedient,  at  the 
present,  critical  period  of  the  season  to  call  the  atten- 
tion of  their  fellow-citizens  to  the  measures,  which 
are  now  in  operation  for  the  purpose  of  providing 
against  malignant  and  pestilential  diseases.  They 
consider  this  duty  as  the  more  important,  as  they 
are  anxious  to  diffuse  information  on  this  subject,  to 
■  vent  undue  apprehensions,  to  secure  the  vigilance 
aiM.)  co-operation  ofevjry  good  citizen,  and  to  attach 
that  clegree  of  confidence,  which  is  requisite,  to  the 
success  of  their  exertions. 


29 

cc  The  system  of  measures  which  is  now  in  full  ope- 
ration, may  be  divided  into  etffeihal arid  internal,  or 
into  such  as  are  intended  to  guard  against  foreign 
and  domestic  causes  of  disease. 

<f  The  external  p recant  ions  comprehend  the  regula- 
tions of  commerce  and  shipping-.  All  vessels  arriv- 
ing from  any  part  of  the  world,  except  the  ports  of 
the  United  States,  north-east  of  Sandy-Hook,  be- 
tweeen  the  1st  of  June  and  1st  of  October,  :: 
strictly  examined  at  the  quarantine  ground,  and 
made  subject  to  the  directions  of  the  Health-Oflicer, 
under  a  penalty  not  exceeding  two  thousand  dollars, 
or  twelve  months  imprisonment. 

"  All  vessels  arriving  from  a  place  where  a  Malig- 
nant or  Pestilential  Fever  was  prevailing,  at  the  time 
of  departure,  or  if,  during  the  voyage,  any  person 
has  died  or  been  sick  on  board,  with  such  fever,  are 
absolutely  prohibited  from  approaching  the  city, 
nearer  than  the  quarantine  ground,  until  the  1st  day 
of  October,  under  a  penalty  not  exceeding  twTo  thou- 
sand dollars,  or  imprisonment  for  a  time  not  exceed- 
ing three  years.  No  person,  arriving  in  such  or  any 
other  vessel,  at  the  quarantine  ground,  is  allowed  to 
proceed  to  the  city,  nor  is  any  part  of  the  cargo  of 
such  vessels  allowed  to  be  conveyed  to  the  city, 
without  a  permit  in  writing,  from  the  Health-Officer, 
under  the  same  penalty. 

"  The  Governor,  or  in  his  absence  the  Mayor,  or 
in  the  absence  of  both,  the  Recorder,  may  designate 
other  descriptions  of  vessels,  that  may  become  liable 
to  quarantine,  and  may  prohibit  or  regulate  the  in- 
tercourse by  land  or  ferries,  with  all  sickly  or  suspect - 
eplacj^. 

"  For  the  sake  of  additional  security,  all  vessels  ar- 
riving from  any  port  in  the  W.  Indies,  in  South  Ame- 


30 

riea,  in  the  United  States,  southward  of  Savannah  in 
Georgia,  in  the  Mississippi,  in  the  Mediterranean, 
in  Africa,  or  in  Asia,  (except  Canton  and  Calcutta,) 
between  the  1st  of  June  and  1st  of  October,  altho* 
no  Malignant  or  Pestilential  Fever  was  prevailing  at 
such  ports,  at  the  time  of  departure;  although  no 
person  had  died  or  been  sick  on  board  with  such  fe- 
ver,  and  although  the  Health-Officer,  after  examina- 
tion, had  given  his  permit  to  proceed,  are  prohibited 
from  approaching  within  three  hundred  yards  of  that 
part  of  the  island  of  New-York,  which  lies  southward 
of  a  line  drawn  from  the  house  of  William  Bayard,  on 
the  North  River,  to  Stuyvesant's  dock  on  the  East 
River,  under  a  penalty  not  exceeding  two  thousand 
dollars,  or  imprisonment  for  a  time  not  exceeding 
three  years. 

44  The  Mayor  or  Board  of  Health  may  order  to 
the  quarantine  ground,  or  other  place  of  safety,  any 
vessel  at  the  wharves,  or  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city, 
which  they  may  deem  prejudicial  to  the  public 
health,  under  the  penalty  of  one  thousand  dollars, 
and  when  the  owner,  consignee,  or  commander  of 
such  vessel  cannot  be  found,  they  may  remove  them, 
at  the  expence  of  such  owner,  &c,  The  Board  of 
Health  may,  likewise,  order  the  removal  of  persons 
and  things  infected  by  or  tainted  with  pestilential 
matter,  to  such  place  as  they  may  think  proper,  and 
any  one  who  resists  their  authority  in  this  respect, 
forfeits  one  hundred  dollars. 

"  Many  articles  of  a  suspicious  kind  are  particu- 
larly excluded.  Hides  are  excluded  between  the  1st 
of  June  and  1st  of  November,  under  the  penalty  of 
being  sold  for  the  use  of  the  Health-Office.  Foreign 
cotton  is  prohibited,  within  the  same  period  ;  but  that 
which  is  the  produce  of  the  United  States,  is  only  ex- 
eluded  from  that  part  of  the  city,  which  lies  south  of 
the  out-let  of  Lispenard's  meadow  and  Ferry-street, 


31 

near  CorlaerVhook.     Damaged  coffee  is  specially 
prohibited. 

"  No  communication  with  vessels  at  quarantine  is 
allowed,  without  special  permit,  under  a  penalty  not 
exceeding  two  hundred  dollars.  All  sick  persons  ct 
whatever  description,  found  on  board  such  vessels, 
are  conducted  to  the  Marine  Hospital,  and  there  de- 
tained till  their  recovery  or  death.  All  vessels  found 
to  be  unhealthy,  or  even  suspected  to  be  so,  are  wash- 
ed, cleansed,  ventilated  and  white- washed,  at  the 
quarantine  ground,  and  in  ease  of  disobedience  to  the 
directions  of  the  Health-Officer,  in  this  respect,  the 
master,  owner,  or  consignee,  is  liable  to  a  hue  not  ex- 
ceeding one  thousand  dollars.  All  wearing  apparel, 
bedding,  &c.  are  washed  and  cleansed,  or  if  it  be 
thought  proper,  destroyed." 

<f  The  above  may  be  considered  as  a  summary  of 
the  external  precautions.  The  internal  precautions 
comprehend  those  laws  and  regulations,  which  re- 
spect the  removal  of  nuisances,  and  the  preservation 
of  cleanliness  in  the  citv;  the  principal  of  which  fol- 
low." 

"  No  dead  animal  shall  be  left  exposed,  in  any 
place,  within  the  first  eight  wards  of  the  city,  under 
the  penalty  of  ten  dollars. 

"  No  pickled  or  salted  beef  shall  be  deposited  in 
any  place,  to  the  southward  of  Lispenard's  meadow 
and  Grand-street,  between  the  1st  of  June  and  1st 
of  November,  under  a  penalty  not  exceeding  five 
hundred  dollars,  or  imprisonment  for  a  time  not  ex- 
ceeding six  months,  nor  shall  any  beef  or  pork  be 
sold  at  auction,  within  the  said  period,  under  the  pe- 
nalty of  twenty-five  dollars. 

"  Boarding-houses  shall  be  kept  neat  and  clean, 
and  no  more  lodgers  shall  be  admitted  than  the  City 


$2 

Inspector  .shall  think  proper,  under  the  penalty  of 
twenty-five  dollars,  for  each  person  exceeding  such 
number.  The  City  Inspector  or  bis  agent  shall,  like- 
wise, examine  them,  at  least  once  a  week,  during  the 
summer.  Persons  taken  sick  in  boarding-houses,  be- 
tween the  1st  of  June  and  1st  of  November,  must  be 
reported  to  the  H e alt h-0 ffiee.  within  twelve  hours 
after  they  are  so  taken,  under  the  penalty  of  one  hun- 
dred dollars,  or  six  months  imprisonment. 

\€  Batchers  shall  bring  no  gut-fat  into  the  mar; 
nor  the  head  of  any  sheep  or  lamb,  unless  the  same 
be  properly  cleaned,  nr  any  sheep  or  lamb  in  carcase 
or  quarters,  with  the  feet  or  trotters  thereto,  nor 
any  hides  or  skins,  (calves-skins  excepted)  under  the 
penalty  of  two  dollars.  They  shall,  likewise,  imme- 
diately after  killing  any  animal,  destroy  the  offals,  or 
convey  the  same  into  the  river,  under  the  penalty  or 
twenty-five  dollars.  They  shall  not  expose  to  sale, 
any  stale  or  unwholesome  provisions,  under  the  pe- 
nalty often  dollars. 

"  All  dirt  and  filth  shall  be  brought  out  from 
houses,  cellars,  alleys,  yards  and  lots,  (twice  a-week.) 
on  sweeping  days,  before  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
under  the  penalty  of  two  dollars. 

"  No  Sexton  shall  inter  any  person  who  may  have 
died  of  a  Pestilential  or  Malignant  Fever,  in  any 
place  to  the  southward  of  Pump  and  Nicholas-streets, 
under  the  penalty  of  one  hundred  dollars;  nor  shall 
they  inter  any  corpse,  within  the  above  limits,  except 
Ln  graves  or  vaults,  at  least  six  feet  deep,,  and  with- 
out removing  any  other  dead  body  or  collin,  under 
same  penalty. 

ic  No  privy  shall  be  emptied  during  the  summer,  ex- 
cept between  the  hours  of  eleven  at  night  and  three 
9  the  morning,  under  the  penalty  of  five  dollars,  nor 


53 

shall  any  human  excrements  be  thrown  into  any 
street,  lane,  alley,  dock,  &c.  under  the  penalty  of 
ten  dollars.  t 

<e  No  new  made  ground  shall  be  turned  up,  dur- 
ing the  summer  months,  under  the  penalty  oi  twen- 
ty-five dollars. 

cc  Gutters  shall  be  thoroughly  sweeped  out  and 
cleansed  on  sweeping  days,  under  the  penalty  oi  two 
dollars. 

cc  Noisome  or  offensive  substances  shall  not  be  de- 
posited in  any  place  to  the  southward  of  Grand- 
street  ;  nor  shall  any  pit  for  tanners  and  skinners,  or 
pool  of  stagnant  water  be  allowed,  except  in  Beek- 
man's  swamp,  under  the  penalty  of  five  dollars.  Ma- 
nufactories which  emit  offensive  smells,  may,  like- 
wise, be  suspended  by  the  Board  of  Health. 

u  No  oysters  shall  be  brought  into  or  sold  in  this 
city,  between  the  1st  of  June  and  30th  of  September, 
under  the  penalty  of  two  dollars  for  every  hundred. 

"  Undressed  skins,  hides,  blubber,  &c.  shall  not 
be  kept  to  the  southward  and  westward  of  Catherine- 
street,  and  the  Fresh- Water-Pond,  under  the  penalty 
of  five  dollars  for  every  twenty-four  hours  neglect. 

"  Putrid  and  unsound  provisions  shall  be  destroy- 
ed by  starting  them  into  the  river,  and  no  salted  or 
pickled  fish,  {except  smoked)  shall  be  kept,  to  the 
southward  of  Grand-street,  between  the  1st  of  May 
and  1st  of  October,  under  a  penalty  not  exceeding  500 
dollars,  or  imprisonment  not  exceeding  six  months. 

"  Nuisances  of  every  other  description  must  be  re- 
moved or  remedied,  agreeably  to  the  mode  prescrib- 
ed by  the  City  Inspector,  under  the  penalty  ct'ftvc 
dollars  for  every  twenty-four  hours  neglect ;  and  in 


u 

addition  to  the  penalties  prescribed  in  the  cases  of 
nuisances,  by  the  salutes  of  the  state  and  ordinances 
of  the  city,  the  remedies  by  common  Jaw.,  may  like- 
wise be  enforced. 

"  Any  physician,  having  a  patient  labouring  under 
a  pestilential  or  infectious  disease,  shall  forthwith  re- 
port in  writing  to  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  the 
Health-Office,  under  the  penalty  of  fifty  dollars. 

"  The  Board  of  Health  being  conscientiously  im- 
pressed with  the  opinion,  that  these  laws,  if  duly  ob- 
served, are  well  calculated,  under  the  blessings  of 
Divine  Providence,  to  avert  pestilential  diseases  from 
our  city,  conceive  it  to  be  their  duty  to  inform  the 
public,  that  they  are  determined  rigorously  to  enforce 
their  observation,  by  exacting  the  several  penalties 
therein  contained,  for  neglect  or  violation ;  and,  as 
they  are  persuaded,  that  the  thinking  part  of  the  com- 
munity will  see  the  necessity  of  paying  a  strict  at- 
tenticn  to  these  laws,  they  earnestly  request,'  that, 
when  any  violation  shall  take  place,  information  may 
be  lodged  at  the  office  of  the  City  Inspector,  in  order 
that  a  prompt  and  adequate  remedy  may  be  applied. 

"  The  board  will  conclude  this  address,   bv  con- 
gratulating  theirfellow-citizens  on  the  state  of  health, 
which  we  now  enjoy,  and  which,  in  so  populous  a 
city,  is  almost  unparalleled,  at  this  season  of  the  year; 
and  they  think  it  proper  further  to  inform  the  public, 
that  they  may,  at  all  times,  ascertain  with  precision, 
the  state  of  health,  by  recurring  to  the  weekly  bills  of 
mortality*  published  by  the  City  Inspector,  which 
being  collected  with  the  greatest  care,  and  issued 
forth  to  the  world,  without  reserve  or  disguise,  may 
always  be  relied  on  as  correct  and  authentic. 
By  order  and  in  behalf  of  the 
Board  of  Health, 
DE  WITT  CLINTON,  President. 
James  Hardie,  Sec'ry. 
Office  of  the  Board  of  Health",  > 
llih  July,  1805."  J 


55 

On  the  15th  July,  the  following  letter  from  the 
building  committee  of  Trinity  Church  was  received. 

No.  10,  Broadway,  July  \3th,  1805. 
"  Gentlemen, 

u  The  Corporation  of  Trinity  Church  having  lately 
purchased  the  ground  between  Rector-street  and  the 
house  of  Mr.  John  Livingston,  in  Broadway,  for  the 
purpose  of  erecting  thereon  a  house  tor  public  wor- 
ship, the  committee  of  the  vestry  charged  with  this 
business,  are  ready  to  begin  the  building ;  but  as  it 
may  be  requisite  to  remove  a  vault,  and  open  such  of 
*the  graves  as  shall  be  found  in  or  near  the  line  of  the 
walls  of  the  building,  we  have  considered  it  to  be  our 
duty  to  consult  your  board  previously  to  doing  so, 
and  to  request  that  you  will  be  pleased  to  infirm  us, 
whether,  in  your  opinion,  there  will  be  any  objection, 
on  the  score  of  the  public  health,  to  our  now  going  on 
with  the  business.  It  will  be  recollected  that  the 
ground  has  been  but  little  used  for  burial,  and  rarely 
of  late  years. 

With  sentiments,  &c. 

RUFUS  KING, 
In  behalf  of  the  Committee." 

The  above  was  referred  to  the  medical  gentlemen 
of  the  board  and  the  City  Inspector,  who  after  an  in- 
terview with  the  committee  of  the  vestry,  reported, 
that  these  gentlemen  were  satisfied,  that  on  the  score 
of  the  public  health,  it  would  be  most  prudent  to  sus- 
pend the  work  till  the  month  of  November. 

On  the  16th  of  July,  the  Secretary  was  directed 
forthwith  to  visit  the  ship  Experiment,  from  Newry, 
at  the  bottom  of  Courtlandt-street,  represented  to 
be  in  a  foul  situation,  and  report  her  state  as  soon  as 
possible  to  the  proper  authority. 


S6 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  the  Secretary 
to  his  Honour  the  Mayor,  written  on  the  evening  of 
the  same  clay,  will  shew  the  state  of  that  vessel. 

cc  Agreeably  to  the  directions  of  the  board,  I  have 
this  afternoon,  particularly  examined  the  ship  Expe- 
riment, and  have  the  pleasure  of  informing  you,  that 
she  is  so  far  fr  m  being  in  the  state  represented,  that 
1  consider  her  to  be  remarkably  clean. 

cc  A  barrel  or  two  of  putrid  pork,  from  on  board  of 
that  vessel,  was  yesterday  started  into  the  river,  from 
the  far  end  of  the  dock,  and  this,  by  occasioning,  for 
a  short  time,  an  offensive  smell,  might  have  given  rise 
to  the  report,  that  the  ship  was  foul.  All  the  beef 
\*  hich  was  on  board  has,  according  to  information, 
which  I  deem  to  be  correct,  been  carried  to  a  pack- 
ing yard,  at  the  upper  end  of  Greenwich-street.  We 
have,  therefore,  in  my  opinion,  not  even  the  slightest 
reason  to  be  apprehen&ive  oi  danger  either  from  the 
ship  or  her  carg^." 

On  the  18th  July,  the  fo'lowing  case  of  disease  oc- 
curred, which  was  universally  acknowledged  to  be  Ma- 
lignant or  Yellow  Fever,  by  every  physician*  who  vi- 
sited him,  as  well  as  by  several  other  persons,  who  bad 
been  accustomed  to  see  that  disorder.  A  man  by  the 
name  of  Christopher  Hibbron,  hostler,  in  the  employ. 
meat  of  Mr.  Andrew  Stay  ley,  who  kept  a  livery-stable 
in  an  alley,  m  the  rear  of  No.  92,  Maiden-Lane,  was 
taken  sick  on  the  9th  July.  His  case  was  no  ways 
alarming  until  the  1.4th,  when  he  was  reported  to  Dr. 
Miller,  the  Resident  Physician,  who,  on  visiting  him, 
did  not  regard  him  as  being  in  a  critical  state,  until 
the  18th,  when  the  symptoms  had  became  so  alarm- 
ing as  to  induce  that  gentleman  to  recommend  his  re- 

*  Hit:  uiusiciarj.,  who  saw  him  in  this  City,  weie  Drs.  JViilltr,  Jones, 
Moore,  Walker  and  Mauley.  At  the  Marine  Hospital,  he  was  unde? 
the  care  of  Drs.  Rodgers  and  Bayley, 


37 

Snoval  to  the  Marine  Hospital,  where  he  died  on  the 
third  da\r  alter  his  arrival.  On  the  same  day,  a 
man  named  William  Aylesbury,  another  hostler,  who 
was,  likewise,  in  the  same  employment,  and  under 
the  same  roof,  was  likewise  sent  to  the  Hospital.  He 
was  Lr  some  time  very  sick,  but  at  last  recovered. 

I,  for  the  present,  pass  over  the  medical  opinions 
and  observations  concerning  these  men,  in  order  that 
1  may  go  on  in  chronological  order  with  the  most  re- 
markable transaction*  of  the  board.  I  shall,  there- 
fore, only  observe,  at  present,  that  every  p  *ssible  pre- 
caution was  taken  to  prevent  the  spread  of  infection, 
by  destroying  the  bedding  and  wearing  apparel  of 
the  persons  removed,  aud  by  thoroughly  cleansing 
and  white-washing  the  apartments,  in  which  they  had 
slep  t,  &c. 

On  the  20th  of  July,  the  following  deposition  was 
taken  before  the  Mayor. 

deposes,  that  he  left  the  Havannah  in  the 


,  on  —  July,  when  that  port  was  remarkably 

healthy;  that  at  the  time  of  the  departure  of  the  said 
vessel,  there  were  but  two  or  three  cases  reported  to 
be  so,  that  the  deponent  was  informed  of,  of  Yellow  or 
Malignant  Fever,  in  that  place,  and  that  no  person 
was  sick  or  died,  on  board  of  the  said  vessel,  during 
the  passage,  as  this  deponent  believes. " 

There  were,  at  that  time,  two  vessels  which  had 
just  arrived  from  the  Havannah,  viz.  the  Eliza  and 
the  Mary.  The  former  of  these  was  lying  in  the 
stream  opposite  the  city ;  the  latter  had  not  yet  come 
up  from  the  quarantine  ground.  To  captain  Bur- 
gess, master  of  the  Eliza,  the  Secretary,  on  the  same 
day,  delivered  an  order  from  the  Mayor,  directing 
her  immediate  removal,  which  was  promptly  compli- 
ed with.     He,  likewise,  wrote  to  the  Heaith-Oflicer, 


S8 

at  Staten-Island,  requesting  the  detention   of  the 
Mary  till  further  orders. 

It  mav  be  observed,  that  in  the  above  deposition, 
there  was  nothing  very  alarming.  Reports  had,  bow 
ever,  gone  abroad,  that  two  captains,  who  had  be- 
longed to  the  Eliza,  had  died  in  succession.  The 
Mayor,  therefore,  from  motives,  which  every  reflect- 
ing citizen  must  deem  to  have  been  highly  prudent, 
thought  it  advisable  to  have  the  vessels  detained  at 
quarantine,  till  further  information  could  be  procured. 

The  captains  of  the  Mary  and  Eliza,  having  peti- 
tioned the  Board  of  Health  to  be  permitted  to  come 
up  from  quarantine,  the  Mayor  directed  the  Secre- 
tary, on  the  21st  of  July,  to  write  to  the  Health-Offi- 
cer, requesting  him  to  put  questions,  on  oath,  to  the 
following  purport,  to  the  sailors  of  the  Eliza  sepa- 
rately. 

1st.  Did  captain  Burgess  go  out  as  master  of  the 
Eliza  ?  If  not,  who  did,  and  what  became  of  him? 

2d.  What  persons  were  engaged,  as  captains  at  the 
Havannah  before  Mr.  Burgess,  and  what  became  of 
them  ?     Did  they  die  there  ? 

3d.  Was  there  any  Yellow  or  Malignant  Fever  at 
the  Havannah,  when  the  Eliza  left  that  port  ? 

4th.  Did  any  person  die,  or  was  any  person  sick 
rm  board  of  the  vessel,  at  the  Havannah,  or  in  the 
passage,  or  in  this  port  ? 

To  these  queries,  the  Secretary,  on  the  22d  July, 
received  a  letter  from  Dr.  Rodgers,  containing  the 
depositions  of  the  mates  of  the  Mary  and  Eliza,  and 
also  of  six  seamen  belonging  to  the  Mary,  and  of  five 
LeloDgrog  to  the  Eliza;  all  of  which  amounted  to  the 


.39 

same  purport,  \iz.  that  Captain  Eiiab  Burgess  com- 
manded the  Eliza  at  the  time  of  her  departure  from 
New- York,  in  May  last,  and  ever  since ;  that  no  per- 
son had  died  or  been  sick  on  board  the  Eliza  since  she 
had  left  this  port  ;  and  that  at  the  time  they  left  the 
Havannah,  they  believed  it  to  be  perfectly  healthy. 
On  the  24th  of  July,  the  ship  John  Jones,  likewise 
arrived  from  the  same  port,  the  master  of  which,  cap- 
tain Sherry,  deposed,  that  the  port,  at  the  time  of  his 
departure,  was  remarkably  healthy,  and  that  he  had 
brought  back  all  his  former  crew,  no  one  of  them  hav- 
ing been  sick.  Upon  the  board  having  received  so 
satisfactory  evidence  upon  this  subject,  it  was  deemed 
advisable  to  permit  the  vessels  to  come  up  and  an- 
chor in  the  stream. 

The  following  extract  nf  a  letter  from  the  Health- 
Officer  to  the  Secretary,  dated  the  21st  of  July,  will 
shew  the  state  of  the  shipping,  with  respect  to  health, 
previous  to  that  time.  "  You  may  assure  the  Board 
of  Health,  that  not  a  vessel  has  passed  through  our 
hands  t  his  summer  to  the  city,  from  any  part  of  the 
world,  which  the  law  contemplates,  that  has  lost  any 
of  her  crew  by  sickness,  or  on  beard  of  which  any 
person  was  taken  sick  with  fever.  This  I  aver,  if 
any  confidence  is  to  be  placed  in  the  oaths  of  mas- 
ters of  vessels  $  but  if  people  will  perjure  themselves, 
I  am  not  responsible." 

On  the  morning  of  the  22d  of  July,  it  having  been 
represented  to  the  board,  that  Mr.  Thomas  Young 
was  sick  of  a  suspicious  disease,  at  No.  2a  Rose-street, 
the  Health  Commissioners,  Drs.  Miller  and  Jones, 
were  requested  to  examine  into  the  nature  of  the 
complainr,  and  report  to  the  board  at  a  meeting, 
which  was  to  be  held  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same 
day.  The  following  is  their  report  upon  this  sub- 
ject :  "  The  undersigned,  Commissioners  of  the 
Health-Office,  to  whom  was  referred,  by  the  Board 


4G 

of  Health,  the  consideration  of  the  case  of  Tho- 
mas Young,  at  No.  25  Rose-street,  report,  that, 
having  visited  and  carefully  examined  the  case  of  the 
said  Young,  they  find  him,  after  an  illness  of  thirteen 
days,  apparently  convalescent,  and  unless  some  un- 
expected reverse  should  take  place,  likely  to  recover 
in  a  short  time.  They  think,  however,  that  thil 
case,  though  mild  and  moderate  in  degree,  when 
considered  in  its  whole  duration,  may  be  justly  sus- 
pected of  partaking  of  the  nature  ot  malignant  fever." 
Mr.  Young  lingered  for  some  time  and  recovered. 

On  the  22d  day  of  July,  the  board,  for  the  first 
time,  received  some  private  information,  that  a  ma- 
lignant or  pestilential  fever  existed  in  New-Haven, 
Connecticut.  The  intelligence,  however,  did  not 
appear  to  carry  along  with  it,  that  degree  of  authen- 
ticity which' would  warrant  the  interdiction  of  com- 
merce between  the  two  cities.  It  was,  therefore, 
deemed  expedient  to  postpone  the  business  tilt  the 
nature  of  the  complaint  at  New-Haven  should  be 
more  particularly  ascertained.  By  the  26th,  private 
letters,  as  well  as  the  deposition  ota  respectable  gen- 
tleman from  that  quarter,  had  fixed  it  beyond  a 
doubt,  that  a  fever,  prevailed  in  that  city,  concerning 
which  there  was  a  considerable  diversity  of  opinion, 
some  believing  it  to  be  bilious,  and  others  to  be  the 
true  yellow,  or  malignant  fever.  It  was,  how- 
ever, admitted,  en  all  hands,  that  several  persons  had 
fallen  victims  to  it,  after  an  illness  of  a  few  days. 

The  board,  upon  receipt  of  the  above  information, 
recommended  to  his  Honour  the  Mayor,  "  to  issue 
his  proclamation,  subjecting  all  vessels  from  New- 
Haven  to  quarantine  of  course,  and  prohibiting  all 
persons  from  that  city  to  enter  this  city,  unless  they 
had  been  fourteen  days  from  that  place." 

The  following  proclamation  was,  therefore,  issued 
on  the  same  day. 


41 
PROCLAMATION, 

BY  THE  MAYOR  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW-YORK. 

"  Whereas  it  appears  to  me,  that  an  infectious  or 
pestilential  disease  doth  prevail  in  the  city  of  New- 
Haven,  in  the  State  of  Connecticut,  I  do,  therefore, 
by  virtue  of  the  powers,  in  me  vested,  by  the  act,  en- 
titled "  An  act  to  provide  against  infectious  and  pes- 
tilential diseases,"  and  in  pursuance  of  the  advice  of 
the  Board  of  Health,  order  and  direct,  that  all  ves- 
sels which  shall  arrive  at  this  port,  from  New-Haven, 
shall  be  subject  to  quarantine,  of  course,  and  that  no 
person  shall  be  permitted  to  enter  the  city  and  county 
of  New-York,  who  shall  have  been  within  the  said 
city  of  New-Haven,  within  fourteen  days  next  pro- 
ceeding his  or  her  arrival,  at  the  said  city  and  county 
of  New- York. 

c<  Whereof,  all  pilots  and  other  officers  entrusted 
with  the  execution  of  the  said  act,  and  all  other  per- 
sons, are  requested  to  take  notice,  and  govern  them- 
selves accordingly,  under  the  pains  and  penalties  im- 
posed upon  offenders  by  the  said  act,  which  will  be 
rigorously  enforced. 

In  witness  whereof,  &c. 
the  26th  day  of  July,  1805. 
DE  WITT  CLINTON." 

On  the  27th  of  July,  the  following  letter  from 
our  Mayor,  was  transmitted  to  the  Mayor  of  New- 
Haven. 

«  New-York  21th  July,  1805. 
"  Sir, 

"  Information  from  various  quarters,  of  the  preva- 
lence of  a  malignant  disease,  in  the  city  of  New-Ha- 
ven, has  enforced  upon  me  the  duty  of  issuing  the  en- 
closed proclamation, 

F 


4$ 

"  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  assure  you,  that  this 
measure  was  taken,  not  without  mature  deliberation, 
and  the  most  unfeigned  regret.  We  sincerely  pray, 
that  the  cause  which  has  induced  it,  will  soon  cease, 
and  that  a  speedy  change  in  the  health  of  your  city, 
will  produce  a  renewal  of  our  usual  intercourse;  and 
we  trust,  that  you  will  feel  persuaded,  that  there  is 
nothing  in  this  step,  which  can,  in  the  remotest  de- 
gree, he  deemed  unfriendly  to  the  interests  of  your 
city,  and  that  we  entertain  every  disposition  to  im- 
prove and  extend  the  friendly  communication,  which 
I: as  hitherto  taken  place  between  us. 

I  am,  &c. 
DE  WITT  CLINTON. 
The  Mayor  of  New- Haven. 

We  shall  be  happv  to  hear  from  you  on  this  sub- 
ject." 

On  the  same  day  (July  26),  the  Mayor  wrote  a 
letter  to  Dr.  Rodgers,  of  which  the  following  is  a 
copy. 

"  New-York,  26th  Jul]/,  IS05. 

"  Dear  Sir, 
«'  It  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to  ascertain  the 
origin  of  the  Yellow  Fever  ;  but  in  order  to  do  this. 
to  general  satisfaction,  it  is  proper,  that  the  adv  ocates 
of  both  theories  should  have  an  equal  chance  in  ex- 
ploring the  sources  of  information. 

"  Under  this  impression,  I  have  concluded,  in  my 
own  mind,  to  furnish  them  indiscriminately  and  im- 
partially with  all  the  information  in  my  power  ;  but 
as  the  patients  in  the  Marine  Hospital,  have  only 
undergone  the  inspection  of  medical  gentlemen,  in 
favour  of  domestic  origin,  previous  to  their  being  sent 
from  this  place,  I  have  to  request,  that  you  will  per- 
mit Dr.  Hosack  and  the  gentlemen    accompanying 


43 

him,  to  see  those  sick  persons.  This  cannot  be  con- 
sidered an  interference  with  your  department,  and 
the  emergency  of  the  occasion,  and  the  interests  of 
the  city  require  a  step  of  the  kind,  in  order  that  a  full 
investigation,  satisfactory  to  all  parties,  may  be  had. 

I  am,  &c. 
DE  WITT  CLINTON. " 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  on  which  the 
above  was  written,  Dr.  Hosack,  accompanied  by 
Drs.  Williamson  and  Stringham,  proceeded  to  the 
Marine  Hospital,  at  the  quarantine  ground.  Tne 
result  of  their  observations  will  appear  presently. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Health,  held  on  the 
30th  July,  1805,  it  was  "  resjlved,  that  James  Har- 
die  be,  and  he  is  hereby  authorized,  to  cause  James 
Dougherty,  from  No.  127  Water-streei,  to  i*:  forth- 
with removed  to  the  Marine  Hospital,  and  that  he 
also  cause  all  proper  means  of  purification  and  pre- 
vention to  be  enforced."  In  conformity  with  the 
above  resolution,  Mr.  Dougherty  was  forthwith  re- 
moved; the  whole  of  his  cloathirlg  and  beddnig  i? 
either  sent  along  with  him  to  the  Marine  Hospital, 
or  completely  destroyed,  and  the  apartments  fumi- 
gated, thoroughly  cleaned,  and  white-washed.  It  is 
to  be  observed,  that  this  was  not  only  represented  to 
be  a  case  of  Malignant  Fever,  by  medical  gentlemen, 
who  believe  in  the  local  origin  of  the  disease,  but  also 
by  Dr.  Hosack,  whose  opinion  is  in  favour  of  its  im- 
portation. 

On  the  1st  of  August,  the  Mayor  wrote  a  letter 
to  Dr.  Hosack,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy. 

"Sir, 
"  I  understand,  that  in  consequence  of  a  request 
made  by  me,  (with  a  view  that  the  advocates  of  both 
theories  might  have  an  equal  chance  of  exploring  the 


44 

sources  of  Malignant  Fever)  you,  in  company  with 
two  other  gentlemen,  proceeded  to  the  quarantine 
ground,  in  order  to  examine  the  cases  of  the  patients 
there  sick,  or  supposed  to  be  so,  with  that  disease. 
If  perfectly  agreeable  to  those  gentlemen  ai:d  your- 
self, I  will  thank  you  to  favour  me  with  your  obser- 
vations and  opinions  on  this  subject. 

I  have  the  honour,  kc. 

DE  WITT  CLINTON." 

In  consequence  of  the  above  letter,  the  following 
answers  were  received. 

"  Neiv-York,  August  ith,  1805. 
"  Dear  Sir, 
"  In  compliance  with  your  request  of  July  26th, 
conveyed  to  me  by  Alderman  Van  Zandt,  one  of  the 
members  of  the  Board  of  Health,  I  called  upon  Dr. 
Hugh  Williamson  and  Dr.  James  Stringham,  re- 
questing them,  in  your  name,  to  accompany  me  to 
Staten-Island,  to  examine  the  two  patients  who  had 
been  sent  from  the  city,  and  reported  to  be  ill  of  the 
Yellow  Fever. 

"  Impressed  with  the  belief,  that  the  Health-Offi- 
cer  would  readily  afford  us  the  opportunity  we  de- 
sired to  see  and  examine  the  patients,  it  was  from  de- 
licacy concluded,  not  to  deliver  your  letter,  unless, 
which  could  not  be  supposed,  it  should  become  ne- 
cessary, in  order  that  the  object  in  view  should  not 
be  frustrated. 

"  Discovering,  however,  in  the  Health-Officer,  a 
reluctance  to  shew  us  the  sick,  or  to  give  us  the  in- 
formation we  desired,  Dr.  Williamson  presented  him 
your  letter.  We  were  then  admitted  to  the  Hospital. 

"  The  first  of  the  two  hostlers  shewn  us,  as  those 
from  Stayley's  livery-stable,  was  Aylesbury.    He  had 


a  yellow  skin,,  but  @f  the  natural  temperature ;  a  fee- 
ble, but  not  a  quickened  pulse;  bis  stomach  was  re- 
tentive, although  we  were  informed  by  the  nurse, 
that,  in  the  beginning,  he  had  thrown  up  large  quan- 
tities of  bile,  and  that  the  evacuations  from  the  bow- 
els had  been  of  a  dark  green  colour ;  they  were  now 
natural.  Upon  enquiring  into  the  state  of  his  urine, 
we  were  informed  that  it  had  been  very  yellow  ,•  that 
it  still  remained  so,  a;d  that  it  stained  his  linen. 

"  We  next  visited  the  man  last  sent  down,  by  the 
name  of  Kirkwood  j*  his  symptoms  were  all  so  mild, 
that  we  could  scarcely  perceive  the  marks  of  febrile 
action  of  any  sort;  indeed  it  was  admitted  on  all 
hands,  that  his  illness  was  not  the  Yellow  Fever. 

"  Hibbron,  the  first  person  sent  down,  and  whose 
case  had  excited  the  most  attention,  and  given  the 
most  alarm,  we  were  informed,  had  died  the  Mon- 
day preceding.  We,  therefore,  could  only  satisfy 
ourselves  as  to  his  case,  by  enquiry,  and  having  seen 
it  asserted  in  one  of  the  public  prints,  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  induce  the  belief,  that  the  information  had 
been  received  from  the  Health-Office,  that  Hibbron 
had  died,  with  all  the  decided  and  most  malignant 
symptoms  of  the  Yellow  Fever,  and,  that  he  had  the 
black  vomit,  attended  with  bleeding  at  ike  nose,  we 
examined  as  far  as  we  could  into  these  facts.  It 
appeared,  that  he  had  voided  blood  from  the  intes- 
tines, and  that  he  died  of  a  mortification  of  the  bow- 
els. I  asked  the  Health-Officer  in  particular,  whe- 
ther he  had  had  the  black  vomit?  He  answered,  that 
he  did  throw  up  a  dark  coloured  matter,  as  he  was 
informed  by  the  nurse.  The  question  was  then 
urged  in  a  more  precise  shape,  and  he  was  asked  if 
he  had  had  the  particular  species  of  black  vomit, 
which  attends  the  Yellow  Fever,  either  the  coffee- 

*  James  Kirkwood  was  sent  to  the  Marine  Hospital  from  Mr.  Stay- 
ley's  on  the  23d  July. 


s     46 

ground  or  the  jlakey  f    He  answered,  No,  he  could 
not  say  he  had. 

"  Such,  sir,  is  the  history  of  the  material  facts,  that 
we  saw  and  ascertained  at  the  quarantine  ground. 
The  remainder,necessary  to  complete  the  cases,  will 
be  found  in  the  affidavit  of  Mr.  Stayley,*  who  attend- 
ed upon  these  men,  prior  to  their  removal  to  the 
Marine  Hospital,  at  whose  examination  I  was  pre- 
sent, as  was  also  the  Resident  Physician. 

"  As  yoU  request  not  only  a  detail  of  particulars, 
but  also  my  opinion  of  the  nature  of  the  disease  of 
those  persons^  I  do  not  hesitate  to  express  it. 

"  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  illness  of  those  three 
men  was  the  effect  of  cold  from  exposure  to  the 
night  #zV,and,excepting  Kirkwood,of  intemperance; 
and  that  their  disease,  was  the  common  Bilious  Fe- 
ver of  our  country,  to  which  strangers  (as  all 
those  persons  were)  are  particularly  liable  on  their 
first  arrival.  And  I  have  no  hesitation  to  pronounce 
that  after  a  minute  and  I  trust  a  candid  and  im- 
partial examination  of  all  the  facts,  there  has 
been  no  Yellow  Fever  in  either  of  the  above  cases, 
but  that  the  unnecessary  and  injurious  alarm,  which 
has,  in  this  instance,  been  raised  and  propagated 
respecting  our  city^  has  been  without  any  adequate 
cause  to  justify  it. 

"  I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

DAVID  HOSACK, 

The  Hon.  De  Witt  Clinton." 

"  New-York,  Aug.  2,  1805. 
"Sir, 

i€  It  had  been  asserted,  and  the  story  was  often 
repeated,  that   "  two  men,  sick  of  the  yellow  fever, 

*  For  Mr.  StzyUfs  affidavit  see  page  50. 


*7 

were  lately  sent  to  the  marine  hospital  from  a  house 
in  Maiden-lane,"  and  that"  a  third  subject,  labour- 
ing under  the  same  disease,  was  sent  to  the  hospi- 
tal after  a  few  days,  from  the  same  house."  Re- 
ports of  this  kind  have  a  rapid  circulation,  and  in 
every  case  are  exceedingly  injurious  to  the  commu- 
nity ;  therefore,  the  sooner  they  are  corrected,  if 
false,  the  better.  As  there  was  no  reason  to  suspcc  I , 
that  either  of  the  men  in  question  had  caught 
imported  disease,  it  must  follow,  that  the  Yelk 
Fever  is  a  complaint  of  domestic  origin,  provided 
these  men  have  been  ill  of  that  disease.  Sundry 
cases  of  Yellow  Fever,  generated  in  the  country, 
had  been  slated  to  me  by  respectable  authority  and 
I  believed  the  report,  but  had  reason  afterwards 
to  be  satisfied  that  in  every  case  my  informants 
had  been  deceived.  It  was  alledged,  however, 
that  the  case  above  mentioned  was  a  case  in  point ; 
that  is,  was  indisputably  a  Yellow  Fever  of  do- 
mestic origin.  Wishing,  if  possible,  to  discover 
the  truth  on  this  question,  in  which  our  fellow  citi- 
zens are  so  deeply  interested,  I  visited  the  Marine 
Hospital  on  the  26th  ult.  in  company  with  Dr.  Ho- 
sack  and  Dr.  Stringham.  It  is  understood  that  the 
three  men  to  whom  I  refer,  had  been  hostlers  at  the 
same  livery-stable,  and  that  they  had  lately  arrived 
from  Europe.  It  is  also  understood,  that  one  of 
them  who  wTas  first  seized  of  the  fever,  died  at  the 
Hospital  before  we  made  the  visit.  Of  the  other 
two,  whom  we  saw7, 1  think  it  may  be  said  with  con- 
fidence, that  they  were  not  afflicted  with  the  Yel- 
low Fever;  they  laboured  under  a  common  Bilious 
Fever,  from  which  they  have  since  recovered.  This 
complaint  is  prevalent  in  the  Southern  States,  dur- 
ing the  summer  season,  and  in  many  cases  is  fatal, 
especially  to  strangers  who  come  from  a  northern 
climate.  But,  common  as  the  fever  may  be,  a  great 
proportion  of  the  cases  that  I  have  seen  could  be 
traced  to  some  act  of  imprudence  in  the  patient,  or 


48 

to  obstructed  perspiration  by  rain  or  dew.  The 
symptoms  of  the  fever,  by  which  those  men  were 
afflicted,  according  to  their  own  account,  have  been 
precisely  the  same  from  the  beginning,  with  the 
symptoms  which  attend  the  Bilious  Fever  that  oc- 
curs every  year  in  the  southern  states,  and  fim  the 
general  appearance  of  the  patients,  it  must  be  admit- 
ted that  the  fevers  are  of  the  same  kind.  The  cause 
also  of  the  fever  in  those  men  appears  to  be  exactly 
the  same  as  that  to  which  I  have  alluded.  The  man 
who  was  last  taken  ill,  is  a  native  of  Scotland,  in  the 
vigor  of  life,  and  lately  arrived  in  the  United  States. 
He  sat  out  of  doors  one  night  in  a  gig,  expecting  the 
return  of  a  customer,  after  midnight,  and  fell  asleep. 
He  caught  a  cold,  and  in  two  or  three  days,  the  fe- 
ver came  on.  It  must  be  admitted,  that  fevers  which 
proceed  from  the  same  cause,  and  resemble  one  ano- 
ther in  every  particular,  should  be  called  by  the  same 
names. 

"  Of  the  man  who  died  at  the  Hospital,  or  of  his 
fever,  the  gentlemen  who  saw  him  are  the  competent 
judges;  but  if  his  fever  was  not  strongly  marked  by 
the  peculiar  features  of  the  Yellow  Fever,  if  the  at- 
tending physicians  retained  any  doubts  concerning  the 
family  to  which  it  belonged,  we  are  justified  in  sup- 
posing that  it  was  also  a  Bilious  Fever.  By  the  way, 
it  is  not  uncommon  for  a  Bilious  Fever,  in  particular 
seasons  and  circumstances,  to  personate  the  Yellow 
Fever  in  many  of  its  alarming  symptoms  ;  but  it  dif- 
fers from  the  fever  in  this  essential  character,  in  not 
being  contagious,  for  which  reason  it  should  not  be- 
come the  subject  of  general  apprehension.  I  have 
presumed  that  the  patient  who  died  at  the  Hospital 
had  not  the  Yellow  Fever,  because  bis  disease  was 
not  contagious.  His  companions,  who  lived  with 
him,  and  sickened  after  him  in  the  same  place,  did 
not  take  the  Yellow  Fever,  but  sickened  with  a  dif- 
ferent disease;  but  I  take  for  granted  that  the  Yel- 


49 

low  Fever  is  infectious,  and  that  it  has  more  than 
once  been  imported.  I  have  presumed  also  that  the 
complaint  alluded  to  was  not  the  Yellow  Fever,  be- 
cause, upon  the  supposition  that  the  Yellow  Fever 
is  a  domestic  disease  and  not  contagious,  it  would 
follow  that  it  cannot  be  imported,  in  which  case  the  T 
foundation  of  our  Quarantine  Law  would  vanish  into 
air;  but  that  law  seems  to  be  the  dictate  of  prudence 
and  parent  of  much  safety. 

I  am,  sir,  with  the  utmost  respect, 
your  most  obedient  and 
very  humble  servant, 

HUGH  WILLIAMSON. 

The  Hon.  Ds.  Witt  Clinton. " 

"  New-York,  August  3,  1805. 

"  Sir, 

"  In  consequence  of  your  request,  I  visited  the 
quarantine  ground,  in  company  with  Drs.  Hosack 
and  Williamson.  While  there,  our  attention  was 
principally  directed  to  two  persons,  who  had  been 
taken  ill  at  Mr.  Stanley's,  in  Maiden-lane,  and  who 
were  reported  to  have  had  Yellow  Fever.  After  an 
attentive  examination,  as  to  the  mode  of  attack,  and 
the  symptoms  which  had  since  supervened,!  leel  great 
pleasure  in  declaring  to  you,  that  none  of  these  cha- 
racteristics, which  peculiarly  designate  that  disease, 
were  in  either  of  these  instances,  to  be  detected;  on 
the  contrary,  I  consider  them  merely  as  cases  of  the 
common  Bilious  Fever,  which,  for  many  years  past, 
has  prevailed  more  or  less  in  New-York,  during  the 
months  of  summer. 

With  sentiments  of  respect,  Sir, 

I  remain  your  very  humble  servant, 

JAMES  S.  STRINGHAM.     * 

The  Hon.  Dje,  Witt  Clinton." 


g 


5® 

DEPOSITION 

of  Mr.  Andrew  St.-yley,  alluded  to  in  Dr.  Hosack's 

LETTER. 

Andrew  Stayley,  of  the  city  of  New-Yoik,  keeper 
of  a  livery  stable,  No.  92  Maiden-lane,  deposes,  that 
"  Christopher  Hibbron  was  in  bis  employ  as  hostler, 
and  that  on  the  JKb  inst.  he  complained  of  pains  in 
the  ancles  and  legs,  which  made  the  deponent  be- 
lieve, that  he  had  the  rheumatism  5  that  on  Wednes- 
day morning,  he  was  unable  to  do  his  work  ;  that, 
in  the  afternoon,  he  drank  a  great,  deal  of  cold  water 
(which  he  had  been  in  the  habit  ofdnnking  alter  tak- 
ing salts,  also  of  taking  salts  frequently,  working  af- 
terwards in  the  sun,  although  he  had  not  taken  salts 
that  day,  but  a  few  days  before)  from  the  pump  in  the 
yard,  which  is  of  a  very  hard  quality,  and  that  about 
an  hour  or  two  afterwards,  he  fell  down  sick  in  the 
stable,  in  attempting  to  harness  a  horse,  and  that  the 
deponent  immediately  called  in  Dr.  Manley,  who 
bled  and  blistered  the  patient;  that  on  Friday  night, 
there  was  a  stoppage  of  urine,  and  on  Saturday  morn- 
ing, he  complained  of  a  continuance  of  pains  in  the 
legs  and  ancles;  that  Dr.  Manley,  on  the  evening  of 
Saturday,  administered  a  remedy  for  the  stoppage 
of  water,  which  produced  a  vomiting  soon  after :  on 
Sunday  morning  he  had  a  stool,  ami  his  water  came; 
that  he  turned  yellow  on  the  stoppage  of  his  urine; 
that,  on  Sunday  morning,  the  deponent  called  in  Dr. 

,  Walker,  and  the  Resident  Physician,  by  his  advice, 
was  called  in  about  twelve  o'clock  of  that  day;  and 
that,  on  the  Thursday  following,  he  was  sent  down 
to  the  Marine  IL  spital;  that  on  Monday,  Tuesday 
and  Wednesday  previously,  he  was  much  better; 
that  on  Tuesday  he  walked  in  the  yard,  and  washed 
his  feet  in  rain  water;  that  on  Wednesday,  he  ate 

*  plentifully  of  soup,  and  said  he  was  bravely,  and  wish- 
ed to  go  to  work;  that  on  Wednesday  night  he  had 
a  relapse,  and  appeared  to  be  delirious,  and  that  a 
bleeding  of  the  nose  took  place  on  Thursday;  that 


SI 

the  deponent  attended  him  during  his  sickness  in 
this  city;  that  he  arrived  in  this  place  from  England, 
on  the  12th  of  May  last,  and  continued  from  the 
14th  of  that  month,  in  the  deponent's  service;  that 
he  was  a  man  of  strict  temperance,  kept  good  hours, 
and  held  never  been  out  late  at  night,  but  the  night 
before  his  sickness,  when  he  did  not  come  home  until 
one  in  the  morning,  having  been  to  visit  a  shipmate 
of  his  in  Oak-street ;  that  he  had  hardly  ever  been 
out  of  the  yard  of  the  deponent ;  that  there  was 
nothing  offensive  or  nauseous  about  the  depo- 
nent's premises ;  they,  on  the  contrary,  being  re- 
markably clean ;  that  William  Aylesbury,  another 
hostler  in  the  deponent's  employment,  took  sick  last 
Thursday,  and  was  sent  to  the  Hospital  with  Hib- 
bron ;  that  he  was  somewhat  intemperate,  and  had 
been  intoxicated  that  day ;  that  James  Kirkwood, 
another  hostler,  also  in  the  deponent's  employment, 
took  sick  on  Saturday  last,  and  was  sent  down  on 
Tuesday  ;  that  his  symptoms  were  the  same  as  those 
of  Hibbron,  as  well  as  Aylesbury  ;  that  the  two 
last  persons  were  in  the  habit  of  taking  salts,  drink- 
ing cold  water,  and  exposing  themselves  to  the  sun 
in  like  manner  as  Hibbron. 

ANDREW  STAYLEY. 

Sworn  26th  July,  1805,  before) 
De  Witt  Clinton."  } 

The  further  examination  of  Andrew  St  ay  ley,  who 
being  duly  sworn,  deposes,  "  that  when  Dr.  Man- 
ley  was  first  called  in,  he  stated  that  he  belieyed  Hib- 
bron, in  consequence  of  pains  in  his  ancles  and  legs,had 
the  rheumatism ;  that  the  patient  did  not  complain  of 
pains  elsewhere.  Dr.  Manley  was  called  in  on  Wed- 
nesday night.  Christopher  Hibbron  first  complained 
on  Tuesday  night.  The  first  symptoms  of  indispo- 
sition was  vomiting.  He  threw  up  his  supper.  Dr. 
Manley,  on  Wednesday  evening,  bled  and  blistered 
him,  his  tongue  having  a  white  fur  upon  it.  On 
Thursday,  the  patieut  said,  that  were  it  not  for  the 


pains  in  his  legs,  be  would  get  up  and  go  to  work : 
made  no  complaint  of  any  pains  in  his  back  or  head. 
On  Wednesday,  his  countenance  sunk  to  a  death-like 
appearance.     On  Friday  he  felt  so  much  better,  as 
to  walk  about  the  yard,  sit  at  the  door  and  eat  pana- 
do;  but  walked  lame,  and  said  if  it  were  not  for  the 
rheumatism,  he  would  go  to  work.     Hitherto,  his 
evacuations  by  stool  were  of  a  natural  appearance. 
On  Friday  night  there  was  a  suppression  of  urine. 
The  evacuation  of  urine  of  Friday  morning  was 
thick  and  yellow  :  he  felt  worse  on  Saturday  night. 
Hibbron  complained   of  his  bowels   on  Saturday 
night.     All  the  illness  the  deponent  perceived,  was 
arising  from  pains  in  the  lower  part  of  the  belly,  in 
his  limbs,  and  stoppage  of  urine.     He  did  not  sup- 
pose him  dangerous.     On  Sunday  morning,  the  pa- 
tient felt  himself  alarmed,  and  wished  for  more  me- 
dical assistance ;  he  walked  down  stairs  to  the  ne- 
cessary, and  returned  easier.     He  turned  of  a  high 
bright  yellow  (between  gold  and  orange).    A  blis- 
ter was  applied  to  the  pit  of  his  stomach,  by  Drs. 
Manley  and  Walker;  of  the  weight  of  which  he 
complained      On  Monday,  as  the  deponent  thinks, 
on  dressing  the  blister,  there  was  a  discharge,  from 
a  wine  glass  to  a  gill  of  water,  as  yellow  as  his  skin. 
Three  or  four  days  before  he  went  to  the  Marine 
Hospital,  he  was  worse  in  the  evening,  but  better 
in  the  morning.     On  Sunday  evening  and  the  sub- 
sequent, he  appeared  delirious.    On  Monday,  Tues- 
day and  Wednesday,  his  stools  became  of  a  light 
colour.     On  some  day,  between  the  first  illness  and 
Sunday,  he  had  a  dark  stool,  asStayley  was  informed, 
but  did  not  see  it.     On  the  Wednesday   after  he 
was  first  taken,  his  complexion  w^as  of  a  pale  livid 
colour;  his  eyes   not  inflamed.     Throughout  the 
whole  of  his  illness,  his  complexion  was  uniformly 
pale.     There  was  the  most  unlimited  intercourse 
between  the  family  and  patient;  the  children  play- 
ed with  him.     On  Monday  night,  he  visited  his  fel- 


53 

low  passenger,  a  gunsmith,  in  Oak-street.  On  his 
return  home,  about  one  o'clock  at  night,  Mr.  Stay- 
ley  could  not  but  remark  that  he  had  been  drink- 
ing, being  somewhat  merry;  but  not  intoxicated. 
The  deponent  states,  that  he  is  particularly  careful 
as  to  the  cleanliness  of  his  stable  yard  That  Wil- 
liam Aylesbury  was  removed  the  same  dav  he  was 
taken  sick,  and  had  arrived  here  from  England, 
seme  time  in  May  last,  and  resided  with  the  depo- 
nent, as  hostler,  from  that  time;  that  Aylesbury 
complained  of  pains  in  his  legs,  although  the  depo- 
nent did  not  believe  him  ;  that  he  was  in  the  habit 
of  laying  his  head  out  of  the  window  at  night,  and, 
in  other  respects,  followed  the  same  mode  of  life, 
as  to  hours,  as  the  other  hostlers  ;  that  when  he  took 
sick,  he  vomited  a  good  deal,  and  drank  brandy. 
That  James  Kirkwood,  the  other  hostler,  took  sick 
as  before-mentioned,  and  complained  at  first,  of 
pains  in  his  legs,  and  the  deponent  does  not  recol- 
lect of  pains  in  the  back  or  head  ;  that  he  told  the 
deponent,  that  he  had  not  had  a  passage  but  once, 
for  fourteen  days  before,  and  then  about  eight  days 
previous;  that  he  was  very  sick  on  the  day  of  his 
removal,  vomited  a  good  deal,  and  was  considera- 
bly thirsty,  and. so  lame,  that  he  could  scarcely  walk, 
and  complained,  at  the  same  time,  of  a  violent  pain 
in  his  belly;  in  vomiting,  he  did  not  throw  up  any 
thing,  except  what  appeared  to  be  the  food  and 
drink  he  had  recently  taken  ;  that  he  was  from  Scot- 
land, and  had  arrived  here  some  time  last  fall  or 
winter,  and  was  a  man  of  temperate  habits;  that 
when  he  took  sick,  and  some  days  afterwards,  he 
appeared  pale,  and  his  eyes  did  not  indicate  unu- 
sual redness. 

ANDREW  STAYLEY. 


a: 

nvorn  29th  July,  ISOj,  before  } 
De  Witt  Clinton."  ) 


On  the  7th  of  August,  the  Secretary  was  direct- 
ed "  to  request  of  the  physicians  who  may  have 


54 

seen,  or  shall  hereafter  see  any  cases,  or  suspected 
cases  of  Malignant,  Yellow,  or  Pestilential  Fever, 
in  this  city,  this  season,  all  Such  information  as  they 
may  possess,  respecting  the  origin  and  nature  of  the 
disease  in  question. " 

In  consequence  of  which,  the  Secretary  wrote  a 
circular  letter  to  the  physicians  of  the  city ;  to  which, 
he  received  the  following  answers,  from  Drs.  Ho- 
sack  and  Walker. 

"  New-York,  August  5th,  1805. 

TO  THE    PRESIDENT  AND  MEMBERS  OF    THE  BOARD  OF 
HEALTH. 

cc  Gentlemen,  ' 

"  In  reply  to  your  letter  of  the#d  instar*t,  request- 
ing* any  information  tending  to  illustrate  the  origin 
and  nature  of  any  real  or  supposed  eases  of  Malig- 
nant Fever,  which  may  have  occurred  in  this  city,  the 
present  season/  I  am  happy  to  remark,  that  the  only 
cases  of  Malignant  Fever,  either  real  or  supposed, 
that  I  have  seen  i.t  the  present  season,  were  the  host- 
lers from  Stay  ley's  livery-stable,  in  Maiden-lane,  two 
of  whom  I  visited  at  the  quarantine  ground,  and  Mr. 
Dougherty,  the  clerk  of  Moore  and  Storey* 

"For  the  account  of  the  first  of  those  cases,  I  beg 
leave  to  refer  to  my  letter  to  the  Mayor,  which  con- 
tains all  the  facts  I  have  been  enabled  to  obtain  rela- 
tive to  them. 

"  On  Tuesday  morning,  July  the  30th,  about  nine 
o'clock,  Dr.  Riddle,  for  the  first  time,  requested  me 
to  visit  with  him  in  consultation,  Mr.  Dougherty  in 
Water-street,  a  clerk  in  the  employ  of  Messrs.  Moore 
and  Storey,  which  I  did  immediately. 


55 

"  As  scon  as  I  entered  the  room  of  the  patient,  I 
perceived  his  skin  to  be  of  a  dusky  yellow  colour,  es- 
pecially about  the  neck  and  chest.  He  lay  in  a  state 
of  stupor ;  but  upon  Dr.  Riddle's  raising  his  eye-lids, 
to  shew  me  the  state  of  his  eyes,  I  observed  them 
also  to  be  of  the  same  yellow  colour  with  the  skin;  his 
pulses  were  slow,  not  exceeding  60  in  a  minute,  but 

.  i;  and  of  their  natural  healthy  fulness — his  skin  was 
temperate — his  tongue  was  moist,  and  nearly  of  its 
natural  appearance,  excepting  somewhat  furred  in 
its  centre;  upon  speaking  to  the  patient,  I  found  his 
mind  to  be  quite  incoherent.  Enquiring  into  the  state 
of  his  stomach,  I  was  told  it  had  been  so  much  afflict- 
ed by  vomiting,  that  the  Doctor  had  found  it  neces- 
sary to  apply  a  large  blister;  but  notwithstanding 
this  application,  the  vomiting  still  continued.  The 
matter  discharged  was  represented  to  me,  both  by 
the  Doctor  and  the  nurse,  to  be  very  black.  As  it 
had  been  just  carried  out  of  the  room,  I  did  not  see  it. 

"  Dr.  Riddle  informed  me,  that  his  patient  had 
been  sick  since  the  preceding  Wednesday,  the  24th 
inst.  that  this  was  the  seventh  day  of  his  disease — that 
he  was  attacked  with  excruciating  pains  in  the/ore- 
head,  immediately  over  the  eyes,  attended  also  with 
pains  in  the  back  and  limbs — that  his  eyes  were  suf- 
fused with  blood — thai*  his  countenance  was  also  of 
a  highly  florid  colour.  Upon  retiring,  I  did  not  he- 
sitate to  express  to  Dr.  Riddle,  my  belief  of  the  na- 
ture of  the  disease.  Dr.  Riddle  immediately  replied, 
that  the  patient  had  not  been  out  of  the  city.  Upon 
enquiring  of  the  gentlemen,  in  whose  employ  he  bad 
been,  the  answer  was  the  same;  but  a  lady  sitting  at 
the  table,  and  accidental !y  hearing  the  question,  im- 
mediately remarked,  that  some  time  since,  he  had 
been  down  at  Staten-Island,  to  procure  letters  from 
some  of  the  passengers  then  detained  at  quarantine. 
As  she  could  not  ascertain  the  time  precisely,  she  re- 
ferred us  to  his  cousin,  who  was  then  attending  him. 


56 

The  cousin  stated,  that  the  Sunday  preceding,  was 
the  third  Sunday  since  he  had  been  down  at  the  is- 
land. I  asked  her  if  she  meant  three  icceks  from  the 
last  Sunday  ?  she  said  no,  but  the  "  third  Sunday." 
Lest  there  might  be  some  mistake,  and  Dr.  Riddle 
expressing  some  doubt,  we  went  up  stairs  a  second 
1  imc,  when  she,  as  before,  stated  that  it  was  not  three 
necks,  but  that  the  last  Sunday  was  the  "  third  Sim- 
day"  since  lie  went  down  to  the  island.  Hence  it 
appears,  that  the  patient  had  been  at  the  quarantine 
ground,  on  Sunday  the  14th  instant,  and  that  he  was 
taken  sick  on  Wednesday  the  24th  instant,  ten  days 
after.  Dr.  Riddle,  doubtless,  has  made  the  same 
distinction  in  his  report  to  the  Board  of  Health,  other- 
wise it  would  induce  a  belief,  that  seventeen  days  had 
elapsed  between  his  visit  to  the  quarantine  ground, 
and  the  time  of  his  attack ;  whereas,  the  interval  was 
but  ten  days.  As  the  patient  was  near  his  dissolu- 
tion, I  immediately  made  a  report  to  the  Mayor,  of 
the  case,  and  the  circumstance  attending  it — the  steps 
afterwards  pursued  by  the  Board  of  Health,  and  the 
result  your  records  contain. 

"Having  never,  gentlemen,  met  with  a  case,  of 
fever  attended  with  the  above-mentioned  symptoms, 
that  could  not  be  traced  to  contagion,  I  cannot  but 
believe,  that  in  this  instance  also,  the  patient  had 
been  exposed  to  the  atmosphere  of  an  infected  vessel, 
or  to  persons  that  had  been  sick,  or  in  some  way  con- 
nected with  the  sick  of  the  Yellow  Fever. 

"  Had  Mr.  Dougherty  not  been  out  of  the  city,  nor 
in  any  way  exposed  to  the  contagion,  I  should  have 
wanted  candor  not  to  have  acknowledged  it>  domestic 
origin.  Under  the  present  circumstances,  it  certainly 
cannot  be  considered  as  generated  here;  the  unusu- 
ally healthy  state  of  our  city,  is  also  directly  opposed 
to  this  belief. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  respect,  yours, 
DAVID  IIOSACK." 


57 

"  New-York,  August  11,  ISO& 

"  GENTLEMEN, 

"  Bvthe  letter  which  I  received  a  few  days  ago,  from 
the  Board  of  Health,  I  have  been  encouraged  to  re- 
late the  case  of  a  man  who  fell  sick  of  a  disease,  ac- 
companied with  very  malignant  symptoms,  in  an  al- 
ky adjoining  to  Maiden-lane. 

"  This  has  been  considered  by  myself,  and  a  num- 
ber of  other  witnesses,  as  an  instance  of  our  Malignant 
endemic  or  Yellow  Fever.  And  I  communicate  it  as 
such,  in  the  face  of  those  who  admit  that  a  febrile  dis- 
ease, with  slighter  symptoms  than  this  case  exhibits,  is 
a  true  Yellow  Fever,  provided  they  can  trace  it  to  a 
sea-vessel,  or  something  that  has  been  brought  from 
the  West-Indies ;  but  deny  that  the  disease,  I  am 
about  to  describe,  however  malignant  and  violent  ^ 
however  distinguished  by  appropriate  and  character- 
istic signs  is  Yellow  Fever,  unless  they  can  trace  its 
origin  in  some  occult  cause  of  foreign  derivation. 

"  The  unfairness  of  which  mode  of  reasoning,  is  only 
surpassed  by  the  fashionable,  but  pernicious  notion 
of  deriving  all  our  ills  of  this  kind  from  distant  places, 
without  reflecting  that  in  so  doing,  we  lay  down  a 
precedent,  authorizing  all  the  inhabitants  abroad,  to 
retort  our  charges  of  imported  infection,  to  recrimi- 
nate with  positiveness  and  pertinacity  equal  to  ours, 
to  assail  ourselves,  climate  and  institutions,  with  as 
much  railing  and  abuse  as  we  bestow  upon  them  and 
theirs,  and  finally  to  have  thereby  confirmed  the  na- 
tives of  Cuba,  Jamaica,  St.  Domingo,  and  other  is- 
lands of  the  south,  who  are  mighty  sticklers  for  the 
purity  and  healthiness  of  their  respective  places,  that 
they  should  always  escape  the  Yellow  Fever,  ii  they 
had  no  commercial  connection  with  New-York,  Phi- 
ladelphia, Charleston,  and  the  other  foul  and  pestilen- 
tial cities,  situated  on  the  continent  of  North  America 

j  foeces 


8 


And  in  this  way  the  favourers  of  importation,  like 
Isnmael,  raise  indeed  their  hands  against  every  man, 
and  ought  to  remember  that  every  man's  hand  will 
be  raised  against  them.  But  as  k  is  my  chief  inten- 
tion to  relate  to  the  board  an  instance  of  Yellow  Fe- 
ver, which  occurred  this  season,  in  the  course  of  my 
practice,  I  shall  detail  the  particulars,  with  all  the 
plainness  and  candor  that  I  possess,  without  forging 
a  chain  of  connection  with  the  West-Indies,  on  the 
one  part,  or  concealing  or  disguising  facts  as  plain  as 
noon-day,  on  the  other. 

"  Christopher  Hibbron,  aged  about  thirty,  born  in 
Yorkshire  (England)  arrived  at  New- York  early  in 
May  last,  in  the  ship  Hudson,  from  Liverpool.  On 
the  fourteenth  of  the  same  month,  he  was  retained  in 
the  service  of  Andrew  Staylej',  No.  92  Maiden-lane, 
in  the  capacity  of  an  hostler,  with  whom  he  resided 
until  he  was  removed  to  Staten-Island.  He  posses- 
sed a  mild  and  obliging  disposition ;  was  not  subject 
to  violent  passions,  nor  did  he  indulge  in  dissipation 
or  intemperance ;  he  seldom  went  from  home,  his  em- 
ployment requiring  all  his  attention,  from  early  in  the 
morning,  until  late  at  night. 

"  He  enjoyed  good  health  from  the  time  of  his  ar- 
rival in  this  country,  until  the  ninth  day  of  July  last ; 
when  he  complained  of  great  languor,  aversion  to  mo- 
tion, and  depression,  of  spirits. 

"  The  next  day  following,  he  was  suddenly  seized 
with  vertigo,  and  fell  upon  the  ground  ;  this  affection 
soon  subsided,  and  was  succeeded  by  constant  nau- 
sea and  frequent  vomiting  of  bilious  matter,  accom- 
panied by  acute  pains  in  the  caifes  of  his  legs  and 
knees,  which  gradually  progressed  upwards,  until  his 
thighs,  back  and  head  were  equally  aifected ;  the 
pain  was  excruciating,  and  there  seemed  to  be  a  spas- 
modic,act  ion  of  the  muscles  of  his  legs.  -    These  ail- 


59 

tions  induced  him  to  speak  of  extreme  cold,  being  ap- 
plied to  his  body;  this  sensation  almost  immediately 
passed  off,  and  great  irritation,  tumult  and  excite- 
ment of  the  vascular  system  became  very  conspicu- 
ous. The  pain  at  this  time  seemed  to  be  altogether 
removed  from  the  lower  extremities,  and  fixed  in  his 
back  and  head  ;  pulse  100  or  upwards,  hard,  labour- 
ing and  irregular ;  heat  of  the  body  burning  and  con- 
centrated ;  skin  dry  and  rough  ;  tongue  white,  slimy, 
and  moist ;  countenance  flushed,  agitated  and  anxi- 
ous ;  eyes  red,  disturbed,  watery  and  wandering. 

"  Dr.  Manley judiciously  prescribed  bleeding,  blis- 
tering, bowels  evacuated,  and  the  antiphlogistic  re- 
gimen enjoined. 

"  On  the  third  day  of  his  disease,  the  violence  of 
the  symptoms  were  greatly  subdued  ;  eye  and  counte- 
nance more  natural  and  cheerful;  tongue  dry  and 
rough ;  continual  thirst;  feeces  charged  with  yellow  or 
bilious  matter;  pain  in  the  stomach  and  nausea;  skin 
moist,  but  rather  clammy  and  cool  when  lightly 
touched,  but  when  hard  pressed,  conveyed  a  sensation 
of  morbid  heat;  pulse  soft  and  swelling. 

"  There  were  no  particular  variation  of  symptoms 
during  the  fourth  and  fifth  days  of  his  disease ;  but  on 
the  sixth  day,  he  complained  of  great  pain  and  un- 
easiness throughout  his  body;  this,  however,  soon  be* 
came  local,  and  was  confined  to  his  stomach  and  uri- 
nary bladder,  attended  with  vomiting  and  suppres- 
sion of  urine,  his  skin  was  dry.  and  the  heat  unequal. 
His  medical  treatment,  was  full  and  regular;  at  this 
time  blistered  freely;  alkalies  with  acids;  Sp.  Nit. 
Dul.  tepid  bathing;  injections;  fomentations;  calo- 
mel and  opium,  &c.  &c.  every  thing  requisite  under 
such  circumstances.  On  the  morning  of  the  seventh 
d?tj  of  disease,  there  obtained  a  copious  discharge  of 
urine,  loaded  with  a  dark  coloured  matter;  feeces 


60 

having  the  appearance  of  tar  or  molasses,  pain  in  the 
stomach,  constant  vomiting,  which  was  no  longer  bi- 
lious, but  rejecting  every  thing  thrown  into  it.  The 
colour  or  his  skin  was,  on  this  day,  completely  chang- 
ed; in  health,  his  skin  is  uncommonly  fair,  but  its 
present  bright  and  general  yellowness  is  beyond  all 
description  ;  it  bears  a  strong  analogy  to  a  high  co- 
louring of  gambouge  upon  fine  glazed  paper. 

ei  The  eighth  and  ninth  clays  of  his  disease  were 
not  marked  by  any  particular  occurrence.  On  the 
tenth,  his  pulse  was  slow  and  regular,  apparently  soft 
and  full ;  a  great  proportion  of  animal  heat  retired 
from  the  extremities  ;  discharge  from  his  bowels,  black 
and  seemingly  charged  with  blood ;  confused  and  ir- 
regular ideas  ;  delirium  ;  haemorrhage  from  his  nose; 
his  tongue  was  loaded  with  a  dark  brown  thick  incrus- 
tation j  skin  moist  but  evidently  morbid,  and  widely 
different  from  the  warm  and  fluid  moisture  arising 
from  an  healthy  action  of  the  extreme  vessels;  sigh- 
ing, anxiety,  throwing  his  arms  and  legs  from  one 
side  of  ihe  bed  to  the  other;  a  constant  desire  to 
change  his  situation,  iviih  nit  assigning  a  cause;  hick- 
up,  with  a  mahogany  countenance,  and  a  variety  of 
malignant  symptoms,  not  easily  described.  In  the 
evening  oftbis  day  lie  was  removed  toStaten-lsland; 
v<  >rr\iting  f  black  matter  came  on,  during  his  passage, 
arid  continued  at  intervals  until  he  died,  which  took 
place  on  the  thirteenth  day  of  his  disease,  attended 
with  all  the  horrid  and  a*vfnl  appearances  that  usu- 
ally occur  in  malignant  cases  of  concentrated  epde- 
mic,  or  Yellow  Fever. 

<f  I  have  sought  with  ail  the  diligence  and  care 
that  I  pessess,  for  the  origin  of  this  frightful  disease. 
Jt  has  beep  impossible  for  me  to  trace  it  to  any  sjiip 
pr  vessel  whatever.  And  indeed  if  I  had  been  able 
to  do  so,   it  would  not  have  followed,  that  the  uiir 

an  rubbish  of  a  ship  had  been  taken  on  board  irj 


61 


bulk  at  a  foreign  port,  and  not  have  been  engender- 
ed and  manufactured  within  her. 

"  For  a  ship,  from  her  construction  and  use,  being 
first  a  manufactory  of  pestilential  matter,  and  then 
a  vehicle  to  transport  it  from  place  to  place,  where- 
ever  she  goes,  is  herself  the  local  source  of  the  great- 
est part  of  that  very  mischief,  which  is  unreasonably 
ascribed  to  the  ports  between  which  she  sails. 

*  As  to  local  nuisances  in  and  about  the  alley  and 
stable,  where  the  man  lived  and  worked,  there  did 
net  appear  to  be  any  one,  which  could  be  fairly  sup- 
p  i  to  excite  the  disease;  tor  it  would  be  extrava- 
gant to  ascribe  such  to  stable-dung. 

"  As  far  as  I  can  penetrate  the  cause  of  this  dis- 
ease, I  will  state  it.  The  patient  was  an  English- 
man ;  he  had  been  accustomed  to  a  portion  of  earth 
and  atmosphere,  by  i'ar  cooler  than  ours  ;  he  had  the 
northern  constitution  and  habits  of  a  Yorkshire  man, 
and  he  had  been  but  a  short  time  in  our  city. 

"  It  is  well  known  when  men  of  such  tempera- 
ments migrate  to  the  south,  they  commonly  undergo 
a  seasoning  as  it  is  called,  to  their  new  place  of  resi- 
dence; Englishmen  have  to  undergo  this  operation 
when  they  remove  hither,  as  our  own  people  are 
obliged  to  submit  to  it,  when  they  move  to  Orleans. 
Men  so  circumstanced,  often  become  diseased  before 
they  are  reconciled  to  their  new  situations,  and  in 
many  cases,  the  stamina  of  life  break  before  they  can 
be  bent  to  the  required  shape. 

"  In  the  case  of  Hibbron,  there  was  the  ordinary 
predisposition  of  an  English  stranger,  and  he  seems 
to  have  fallen  a  victim  to  the  combined  agency  of 
causes,  which  a  native  scarcely  feels,  because  he  is 
seasoned  and  habituated  to  them,  but  which  frequent*- 


62 

\y  act  with  irresistible  powers  upon  visitors  from  the 
north. 

With  sentiments  of  high  respect  and  esteem, 
I  remain  your  most  obedient, 

RICHARD  L.  WALKER. 

The  President  and  Members  > 
oi  the  Board  of  Health."    ) 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  Dr.  Man- 
ley,  published  in  the  Morning  Chronicle,  will  shew 
that  gentleman's  opinion  of  the  disease  in  question. 

Ci  I  shall  now  take  the  liberty  of  examining  briefly, 
such  parts  of  Dr.  Hosack's  letter,  as  relate  to  the 
case  of  Hibbron.  *  It  appeared/  said  the  Doctor, 
'  that  he  had  voided  blood  from  his  intestines,  and 
that  he  had  died  of  mortification  of  the  bowels/  As 
I  am  the  person  more  interested  in  the  opinion  which 
the  public  shall  form  of  this  case,  than  any  other  man, 
I  should  be  glad  to  know,  for  the  sake  of  information, 
how  it  appeared  to  him,  that  he  died  with  a  morti- 
fication of  the  bowels.  As  a  man  of  candor,  his  rea- 
sons for  such  an  opinion  should  have  appeared  in 
print  as  well  as  the  opinion  itself,  and  he  is  hereby 
informed,  that  they  are  still  expected.  He  could  not 
draw  this  conclusion  from  the  circumstance  of  the 
man's  voiding  blood,  for  this  we  see  every  day  oc- 
curring in  cases  of  the  Dysentary ;  yet  we  do  not  be- 
lieve the  mortification  of  the  bowels  to  exist  any  length 
of  time,  proportionate  to  the  duration  of  the  disease  ; 
we  know  that  patients  will  labour  under  the  most  ag- 
gravated form  of  Dysentary  for  the  term  of  six  weeks, 
and  during  all  that  time  pass  blood  ;  comparatively 
few  instances  even  then  are  found  to  terminate  in 
mortification  of  the  intestines,  as  has  been  repeatedly 
proved  upon  dissection.  But  suppose  for  a  moment, 
the  man  had  mortification  of  bowels,  as  expres- 
sed, how  is  it  possible  to  be  accounted  for  ?  the  mor- 
tification surely  was  not  the  consequence  of  the  ap- 
plication of  a  caustic;  it  must  have  been  preceded  by 


03 

inflammation;  if  such  inflammation  did  exist,  it  must 
have  been  apparent,  from  the  torturing  pain,  the  ob- 
stinate costiveness,  and  the  peculiarity  of  pulse, 
which  in  such  cases,  do  exist,  and  he  must  have  died* 
according  to  the  common  course  of  such  a  diseasej 
long  ere  the  termination  ol  the  thirteenth  day  efhia 
illness — neither  of  which  circumstances  did  obtain. 
I  therefore  shall  rest  satisfied  in  the  belief,  that  he  did 
not  die  with  mortification  of  his  bowels,  as  a  primary 
disease,  as  represented;  and  the  public  will,  no  doubt, 
do  themselves  the  justice  to  withhold  their  belief  of 
such  a  statement,  until  more  clearly  proved. 

"  I  asked  the  Health- Officer  in  particular,  whe- 
ther he  had  the  black  vomit ?"  He  answered, "  that 
he  did  throw  up  a  dark  coloured  matter,  as  he  was 
informed  by  the  nurse. "  The  question  was  then 
urged  in  a  more  precise  shape,  and  he  was  asked  "  if 
he  had  the  particular  species  of  black  vomit  which  at- 
tends the  Yellow  Fever,  either  the  coffee  grour. 
the  flaky  r"  He  answered,  "  no,  he  could  not  say  he. 
hacir 

"  The  public  will  observe,  that  the  last  sentence 
here  given,  as  delivered  by  the  Health-Otiicer,  was 
not  divided  into  two  distinct  parts,  as  Dr.  Hcsack 
would  wish  it  to  be  believed,  by  printing  one  part  in 
capitals,  and  another  in  italics.  J  pledge  myself  that 
Dr.  Rodgers  did  not  expect  to  be  thus  understood, 
when  he  was  more  particularly  interrogated  whether 
the  vomiting  was  either  the  coffee  ground  or  the  flaky  f 
He  answered  he  did  not  know ;  the  information  he 
had  received  from  the  nurse ;  he  himself  had  not  seen 
it,  and  he  possessed  too  just  a  sense  of  the  value  of 
truth,  to  assert  that  for  fact,  which  rested  merely  upon 
the  statement  of  one  of  the  hospital  attendants!  Dr. 
Hosack's  enquiry  of  the  Health  Olncer,  amounts  of 
course  to  nothing  more  nor  less  than  he  could  not 
precisely  define  the  appearance  of  the  matter,  having 


64 

never  seen  it.  It  is  certain,  however,  that  the  patient 
had  an  irritable  stomach  during  the  whole  course  of 
his  disease,  and  that  he  had  black  vomiting  before  .he 
arrived  at  Staten-Island ;  and  whether  he  had  or  had 
not,  is  not  a  circumstance  essentially  necessary  to 
the  point  in  question.  Had  Hibbron  Y&Ubiv  Fever-? 
It  is  acknowledged,  on  all  hands,  that  Yellow  Fever^ 
notwithstanding  it  is  a  disease  of  peculiar  malign^}, 
does  not  possess  one  single  sympi  m  which,  taken 
alone,  can  characterize  it.  Again,  if  it  be  necessary 
that  black  vomiting  should  be  present  to  constitute 
the  disease  Yellow  Fever,  at  least  nine  out  often  at- 
tacked by  it  must  die  ;  for  in  cases  where  that  symp- 
tom obtains  to  any  extent,  the  chances  of  recovery 
are  still  iess  than  this  proportion,  as  wiil  appear  from 
the  experience  of  many  of  our  most  able  physicians. 
Yellow  Fever,  though  malignant,  is  not  so  generally 
fatal  as  would  thus  appear. 

"  Dr.  Hosack  thus  concludes  his  letter.  c  I  have 
no  doubt  that  the  illness  of  those  three  men  was  the 
effect  of  cold,  from  exposure  to  the  night  air,  and  ex- 
cepting Kirk  wood,  of  intemperance,  and  thai;  their 
disease  was  the  common  Bilious  Fever  of  our  coun- 
try, to  which  strangers  (as  all  those  persons  were)  are 
particularly  liable  on  their  first  arrival.  And  I  have 
no  hesitation  to  pronounce,  that  after  a  minute,  and, 
I  trust,  a  candid  and  impartial  examination  of  all  the 
facts,  that  there  has  been  no  Yellow  Fever  in  either 
of  the  above  cases,  but  that  the  unnecessary  and  in- 
jurious alarm  which  has,  in  this  instance,  been  raised 
and  propagated  respecting  our  city,  has  been  with- 
out any  adequate  cause  to  justify  it.' 

"  It  will  here  readily  appear  to  the  reader,  that  the 
D  ctor,  with  all  his  caution,   has  not  been  able  to 
avoid  absurdity.     He,  in  the  first  part  of  this  letter, 
imputes  the  death  of  Hibbron  to  a  mortification  of 
the  bowels,  and  now  in  common  with  Kirkwood  and 


$5 

Aylesbury,  he  had  the  common  Bilio&s  Fever  of  our 
country,  to  which  strangers  are  particularly  liable; 
this  needs  no  further  comment;  the  contradiction 
would  scarcely  have  been  more  apparent  if  it  had 
occurred  in  the  same  sentence. 

"  I  shall  now  conclude  my  observations  on  this  let- 
ter, by  remarking  upon  the  candor  and  humanity  of 
Dr.  Hosack,  which  charged  Hifrbrori  with  btfiffg 
cessory  to  his  own  death,  when,  if  he  hau\  not  ktte 
the  least  enquiry  would  have  satisfied  him  that  he 
was  a  man  temperate  even  to  a  fault,  if  I  may  so  ex- 
press it.     Mr.  Stayley  told  me,  when  speaking  bf  his 
habits,  that  he  had  never  seen  him  intoxicated  dur-» 
ing  the  whole  time  he  was  in  his  employ,  and  that  it 
was  with  difficulty  he  coukt  prevail  upon  him  d? 
the  warm  weather,  to  drink  any  other  thing  rha'n  c      I 
water ;  yes  the  illness  of  these  three  men  was  (he  effect 
of  cold,  from  exposure  to  the  night  air,  and  except- 
ing Kirk  wood,  of  intemperance. 

"  I  have  now  said  all  that  the  public  required  of 
me,  and  no  more.  It  was  my  intention  to  have  ana- 
lyzed the  letter  of  Dr.  Hos&ek,  on  the  case  of  Dough- 
erty ;  but  that,  I  am  informed,  will  come  from  its 
proper  source,  in  the  course  of  a  few  days-,  and  as 
that  case  a  (lords  ample  matter  for  a  lengthy  comment, 
we  trust  that  it  will  meet  with  its  merited  attention. 
I  trust  that  I  have  done  away  art  injurious  impres- 
sions- that  the  public  may  have  entertained  of  me,  as 
the  physician  of  Hibbron  j  and  1  likewise  hope  that  1 
have  done  some  service  to  the  public,  in  exposing  the 
designed  misrepresentations  in  the  above  case. 

"  I  shall  only  observe,  in  regard  to  the  paragraph 
in  Mr.  Coleman's  fast  evening  paper,  that  if*  by 
those  who  know  better/  he  would  be  understood  as- 
meaning  Dr.  Hosack  and-  himself — lie  is  perfectly 


66 

correct ;  since  they  (and  their  communications)  alonfc 
prompted  me  to  come  before  the  public. 

JAMES  R.  MANLEY." 


"  Dear  Sir, 

Cf  As  you  have  requested  the  most  important  facts 
in  the  cases  of  Hibbron,  Aylesbury  and  Kirk  wood, 
I  have  been  as  particular  as  my  memory,  (aided  by 
nurses  and  patients)  admit  of. 

"  Christopher  Hibbron  was  received  into  the  Ma- 
rine Hospital  on  the  18th  inst.  late  at  night.  The 
morning  of  the  19th,  I  first  visited  him.  His  body 
was  of  a  dusky  yellow,  especially  his  face ;  his  eyes 
were  yellow,  and  the  blood  vessels  turgid  ;  his  tongue 
covered  with  a  dark  brown  fur,  but  moist,  except  at 
the  edges,  which  were  dty,  and  darker  than  the  rest; 
pulse  full,  soft  and  frequent,  beats  100 ;  mind  collect- 
ed ;  he  had  ten  or  twelve  thin  evacuations  in  as  many 
hours,  which  were  of  a  dark  bloody  colour ;  urine  red- 
dish and  turbid  ;  he  vomited  four  times,  at  an  inter- 
val of  twelve  hours  between  each,  except  the  last 
twenty-four  hours  of  his  life,  when  he  did  not  throw  up 
any  thing;  the  fluid  vomited  was  the  colour  of  por- 
ter, with  some  ash  coloured  mucous  floating  in  it, 
except  immediately  after  he  was  admitted,  which  is 
stated  to  have  been  very  dark ;  porter  was  his  drink, 
and  when  he  did  vomit,  it  was  shortly  after  he  drank ; 
volatile  alkali  and  laudanum  were  prescribed  for  him, 
which  produced  a  free  perspiration,  and  lessened  the 
number  of  his  stools ;  at  night  blisters  were  applied  to 
his  ancles. 

"  20th.  The  same  medicines  were  continued,  he 
having  expressed  sensible  relief  therefrom ;  some 
coma  taking  place,  a  blister  was  applied  between  his 
shoulders,  which  drew  well ;  during  the  night  he  had 
a  dark  green  stool,  of  natural  consistence. 


07 

a  2 1st.  Coma  increased ;  pulse  soft  and  quick;  me- 
dicines continued,  with  the  infusion  of  bark  as  the  ve- 
hicle ;  blisters  applied  to  the  legs,  and  cataplasms  to 
the  feet. 

"  22d.  All  the  symptoms  increased,  with  laborious 
breathing ;  had  several  convulsions,  and  died  at  three 
o'clock,  P.  M.  JV.  B.  He  bled  several  times  at  the 
nose. 

*  William  Aylesbury  was  admitted  into  the  Ma- 
rine Hospital  with  Hibbron.  His  body  was  of  a 
natural  colour ;  eyes  slightly  inflamed  ;  tongue  white  -y 
pulse  tense  and  frequent ;  skin  hot ;  had  taken  a  ca- 
thartic, which  had  ceased  its  operation  before  he 
came  here;  a  sudorific  was  given  at  short  intervals, 
with  acidulated  tepid  drink,  which  caused  a  free  per- 
spiration ;  had  several  dark  green  stools ;  urine  tur- 
bid and  high  coloured  ;  in  the  evening  complained  of 
heat  and  fulness  at  his  stomach,  with  increased  pain 
in  the  back  part  of  his  head,  and  aching  of  his  back 
and  limbs ;  twenty-four  ounces  of  blood  was  taken 
from  him,  which  produced  relief. 

"  20th.  Had  the  same  sensations  at  his  stomach 
and  head  as  last  night ;  pulse  full  and  frequent ;  bldbd- 
ed  him  eight  ounces ;  sudorific  mixture  continued;  in 
the  evening  costive ;  mixture  omitted ;  took  10  grains 
of  calomel  every  four  hours,  and  rub  mercurial  oint- 
ment nn  the  thighs  ;  had  many  dark  green  stools  dur- 
ing the  night,  and  vomited  onee  some  light  greenish 
bile,  which  was  very  bitter. 

<c  21st.  Calomel  and  opium  were  directed,  and 
mercurial  frictions  continued  night  and  morning. 

<c22d.  Remedies  as  yesterday  ;  his  eyes  have  a  yel- 
low tinge.  2£d.  His  body  generally'  of  a  yellow  hue ; 
bled  twice  at  the  nose ;  his  breath  has  the  mercurial 


68 

taint ;  complains  of  soreness  of  his  gums,  medicines 
as  beibre. 

"  24th.  Medicines  discontinued ;  complains  very 
much  of  the  soreness  of  his  mouth  ;  stools,  of  which 
be  has  had  several  daily,  are  of  a  very  dark  green; 
took  a  solution  of  scda. 

"  25th.  Bled  at  the  nose;  stools  lighter;  his  jaws 
swollen ;  from  the  25th  to  the  50th,  under  the  influ- 
ence of  mercury. 

"  30th.  His  yellowness,  which  when  at  its  height, 
was  of  a  dusky  }e!low,  is  rapidly  lessening;  stools 
c  ntmue  green  ;  the  swelling  of  his  face  diminishing, 
and  he  is  recovering. 

"  James  Kirk  wood  was  taken  into  the  Hospital 
on  the  24th  inst.  his  skin  of  a  natural  colour ;  eyes 
slightly  suffused  with  blood  and  heavy  ;  tongue 
white  ;  pulse  full  and  slow;  complained  of  pain  in 
his  head,  back  and  limbs ;  took  a  cathartic,  which 
operated  freely  ;  opened  a  vein,  but  only  a  few- 
ounces  flowed  ;  stools  green  ;  at  night  calomel  and 
opium  were  administered  every  four  hours;  very 
copious  vomiting  of  a  light  green  bile  ensued  ;  mer- 
curial ointment  was  applied  to  his  legs  and  thighs. 

cc  25th.  Complains  more  than  yesterday  ;  had  a 
verv  restless  night ;  calomel  was  exhibited  in  a 
smaller  quantity,  and  the  opium  increased  every 
four  hours,but  his  vomiting  continuing,  was  obliged 
to  omit  them  ;  a  solution  of  soda  in  mint  water, 
with  the  addition  of  laudanum  was  given  ;  this  al- 
layed the  irritability  of  his  stomach,  and  he  had  a 
much  better  night ;  his  stools  of  a  lighter  green  5 
pulse  full  and  slow.  26th  and  27th.  solution  of 
soda  in  mint  continued  ;  laudanum  omitted  ;  pulse 
full  and  slow,  beats  60;  he  is  mending,  28th,  29th 


69 


and  30th.  Pulse  from  52  to  56  beats  in  a  minute  ; 
full  and  soft;  complains  of  a  soreness  in  his  gums; 
he  walks  about, and  is  in  the  use  of  tonic  remedies  ; 
his  evacuations  have  a  slight  tinge  of  green,  in  other 
respects  natural. 

JOSEPH  BAYLEY. 
Dr.  John  R.  B.  Rodgers." 

On  the  24th  August,  Mr.  Andrew  Stayley,  the 
tleman  in  whose  house  the  three  histlers  had 
taken  sick,  became  indisposed,  and  on  the  third  day 
thereafter,  was  sent  to  the  Marine  Hospital.  It  was, 
indeed,  his  own  desire  to  go  there,  as  he  had  heard 
a  most  favourable  report  of  the  institution  from 
James  Kirkwood,  who  had  been  sent  down  sick, 
and  a  few  days  before  Mr.  Stayley's  removal,  had 
come  up  perfectly  recovered.  Soon  after  Mr. 
Stayley  went  down,  the  Secretary  wrote  a  letter  to 
the  Health-Officer*  to  which  he  received  the  follow- 
ing answer. 

"  Quarantine  Ground,  August  26th,  1805. 
"  Dear  Sir, 

"  Your  anxiety  respecting  your  friend  Stayley, 
induces  me  to  inform  you  that  he  is  still  very  ill, 
but  from  his  having  had  a  better  sight  the  last  than 
before,  and  having  a  clean  and  airy  apartment,  and 
a  situation  giving  him  as  pure  an  air  as  the  island 
arlords,  I  am  yet  in  hopes  he  may  do  well.  He  had 
yesterday  a  most  distressing  hiccup,  and  this  has 
occasionally  come  on  this  morning,  but  b 
means  so  severe  as  before.  He  had  yesterday  a 
disposition  to  bleed  freely  wherever  he  scratched 
himself,  and  his  pulse  intermitted  frequently.  The 
tendency  to  haemorrhage  has  gone  off  this  morning, 
and  his  pulses  are  more  regular ;  he  speaks,  though 
with  a  quickness  that  shews  his  brain  is  still  affect- 
ed,    The  other  man  of  Stayley's  is  much  better. 


70 

lt  1  find  by  the  public  prints,  that  what  was  said 
to  the  three  gentlemen  who  visited  the  Marine  Hos- 
pital, on  the  27th  of  July  last,  has  been  put  in  a 
very  improper  point  of  view,  and  that  there  are 
some  omissions  of  necessary  truth.  Whether  this 
proceeds  from  design,  I  cannot  say  ;  but  as  the  ac- 
count has  been  given  to  the  Board  of  Health,  to 
whom  1  owe  respect,  and  with  whom  I  am  offici- 
ally connected,  1  esteem  it  my  duty  to  make  the 
present  communication,  and  to  state  all  the  circum- 
stances of  the  visit. 

"  On  the  27th  of  July,  Drs.  Williamson,  Hosack 
and  Stringham  came  to  see  me  at  the  quarantine 
ground ;  they  arrived  while  we  were  at  breakfast ; 
after  the  usual  compliments,  and  being  seated  at  the 
table  with  the  family,  one  of  the  gentlemen,  (Dr. 
Hosack)  said  that  they  had  come  to  make  enquiry 
relative  to  the  cases  of  fever  which  had  been  sent 
down  from  the  city  to  the  Marine  Hospital.  I  imme- 
diately told  them  that,  if  they  wished  information  for 
themselves,  I -would  give  it  with  pleasure,  but  that 
wrhat  we  had  said  at  the  quarantine  ground,  had 
sometimes  gone  into  the  public  papers  without  our 
permission,  and  sometimes  been  misrepresented — 
that  if  U  were  required  by  those  in  authority,  I  would 
at  any  time  give  jn  writing,  all  the  information  in 
my  power,  but  that  what  I  should  say  then,  or 
at  other  times  in  conversation,  was  not  to  go  into 
the  public  papers,  or  serve  the  purposes  of  party  or 
controversy,  and  that  if  they  intended  my  answers 
to  do  this,  1  should  be  perfectly  silent.  They  all 
of  them  replied  that  they  had  no  such  idea;  and 
under  the  persuasion  of  being  candidly  dealt  with, 
I  proceeded  in  the  conversation. 

"  I  held  them,  from  what  was  said  and  from  their 
manner,  as  much  under  the  obligations  of  honour 
and  good  fciitb,  that  the  conditions  prescribed  would 


be  strictly  performed,  as  if  they  bad  expressed  the 
terms  in  writing,  and  bound  themselves  in  a  bond,  or 
by  an  oath  ;  and  all  those  who  respect  the  obligations 
of  hospitality,  will  look  on  such  a  tie  as  paramount. 
Very  soon  after  this  stipulation,  I  was  a^ked  if 
might  go  into  the  Hospital.     I  replied,  that  ir 
had  any  request  from  the  Mayor,  t  he  Commissi'  i 
of  the  Health- Office,  or  the  Board  of  Health  to  that 
effect,  they  should  be  admitted,  but  if  not,  that  I  must 
think  of  it.     Upon  which  Dr.  Williamson  produced 
the  Mayor's  letter  for  that  purpose.     I  immediately 
told  them  that  they  should  be  admitted.     I  now  en- 
tered on  the  account  of  the  case  of  Hibbron — I  told 
them  that  he  had  died  some  days  before — that  he 
came  to  us  with  all  the  symptoms  of  Yejloyv  Fever, 
and  died  with  that  complaint.     I  was  asked  what  his 
appearance  was  ?     I  said  he  was  very  yellow.    I  was 
asked  if  it  were  a  bright  yellow,  with  an  observation 
of  the  gentleman  asking  the  question,  making  a  dis- 
tinction between  the  yellow  colour  accompanying 
Jaundice  and  Yellow  Fever.     I  told  him  that  the 
yellow  was  deep,   but  of  a  dirty  hue,  and  that  \us 
eyes  were  deeply  and  extremely  suffused  with  red 
and  yellow,  and  that  he  had  that  cast  of  countenance 
and  that  peculiar  look  of  Yellow  Fever,   which  no 
one  acquainted  with  that  disease  could  mistake — that 
he  had  a  bleeding  from  his  nose — that  his  stools  were 
bloody — that  his  stomach  was  very  irritable,  and  that 
he  frequently  vomited.     I  was  asked  (while  I  was  in 
the  detail)  if  he  had  black  vomit?    I  went  on  to  say 
that  he  had  vomited  dark  coloured  matter,  as  the 
nurse  informed  me,  but  that  I  had  not  seen  it  myself. 

<f  I  was  then  asked  whether  it  was  of  a  flaky  ap- 
pearance, or  of  the  nature  of  coffee  grounds  ?  I  told 
the  gentlemen  asking,  that  I  could  not  say,  f  r  that 
I  had  not  seen  it.  At  the  same  time  I  remarked  to 
the  gentlemen  that  many  died  of  yellow  fever  with- 
out any  black  vomit,   or  even  dark  matter  ejected 


72 

from  the  stomach.  The  insinuation,  therefore,  thai 
what  I  then  said  was  at  variance  with  what  J  had  be- 
fore expressed  to  the  Board  of  Health,  or  that  I 
evaded  any  questions  or  intended  to  evade  them  is 
neither  consistent  with  fact  nor  candor.  The  man- 
ner of  answering  the  first  question  prevented  evasi- 
on, for  I  had  distinctly  said  that  I  iiad  not  seen  the 
matter  vomited  myself,  but  had  received  my  inform- 
ation from  the  nurse.  No  questions  were  asked 
about  his  pulse.  As  soon  as  we  r: :se  from  breakfast 
we  went  to  the  hospital ;  the  first  person  seen  was 
Aylesbury  ;  he  was  asked  by  Dr.  Hosack  if  he  had 
any  pain  on  his  first  attack,  and  where  it  was,  if  in 
his  legs  and  knees  ?  He  answered  yes,  in  his  legs  and 
knees — on  the  small  of  his  back  and  in  his  head. — 
Dr.  H.  asked  him  if  his  stomach  had  been  affected 
before  he  came  here  ?  He  said  yes,  that  he  had  vom- 
ited. Dr.  H.  asked  if  it  were  yellow  or  bhter  mat- 
ter ?  He  said  it  was  black.  Black  !  said  Dr.  H. 
with  apparent  surprize — of  a  deep  green  replied  he 
then — he  was  asked  what  was  the  colour  of  his  stools, 
— He  answered  dark  coloured — his  urine  was  in  the 
chamber  pot  and  was  inspected  by  the  gentlemen, 
and  was  high  coloured.  He  was  asked  if  it  stained 
his  linen  r  He  replied  yes.  These  answers  were 
partly  given  by  Aylesbury,  and  partly  by  his  wife, 
his  mouth  being  sore  from  the  use  of  mercury.  He 
had  at  this  time  a  dusky  yellow  tinge  on  his  skin  and 
eyes,  and  his  eyes  looked  as  if  they  had  been  inflam- 
ed. The  person  who  came  in  last  was  then  asked 
by  Dr.  H.  if  he  had  any  pain  on  his  first  attack  ?  He 
said  yes,  in  his  head  ami  limbs.  He  was  asked  iiv 
what  part  of  his  head  ?  He  said  in  the  back  part  of 
his  head,  and  put  his  hand  to  the  hinder  part  of  if — 
if  he  had  any  pain  in  his  back  ?  He  said  yes.  This 
examination  did  not  take  up  more  than  six  or  eight 
minutes;  not  ten  I  am  sure.  The  questions  asked, 
and  the  answers  given  were  written  down  directly 
after  the  gentlemen  left  the  quarantine  wharf,  and 


73 

within  three  quarters  of  an  hour  after  they  were 
asked,  they  were  taken  to  the  hostipal,  and  there 
read  to  Aylesbury  and  his  wife,  in  the  presence  of 
Dr.  Bayley,  and  declared  by  them  to  be  correct. 
Upon  leaving  this  ward,  Dr.  Bayley  came  up  to  us 
on  the  green  in  front  of  the  long  Hospital.  I  hand- 
ed him  the  Mayor's  letter,  and  stated  to  him  the  ob- 
ject of  the  visit  of  the  gentlemen ;  at  the  same  time  I 
told  him  that  I  had  expressly  said  to  them,  that  no- 
thing which  he  or  I  should  say,  was  to  go  into  the  news- 
papers, or  be  made  the  subject  of  controveisy.  Dr. 
Ba ,  ley  told  them,  that  he  considered  Hibbron's  case 
as  a  mixed  one,  but  that  if  he  were  to  class  it,  or  were 
on  his  oath,  he  should  say  it  was  Yellow  Fever — that 
he  had  a  mortification  of  his  bowels  before  he  died. 
Here  you  will  observe  that  Dr.  Hosack  has  kept  back 
part  of  what  Dr.  Bayley  said,  and  has  misstated  part ; ' 
for  Dr.  Bayley  never  said  that  Hibbron  died  of  a 
mortification  of  his  bowels.  He  expressed  himself  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  shew  that  the  mortification  of 
the  bowels  was  a  symptom  of  the  disease,  and  not 
the  disease  itself.  These  are  the  leading  circum- 
stances of  what  occurred  on  that  visit.  How  any 
one  can  infer  from  what  I  said,  or  from  what  I  heard 
Dr.  Bayley  say,  that  the  case  of  Hibbron  was  not 
Yellow  Fever,  is  to  me  very  strange.  It  is  equally 
surprising  to  find  gentlemen  denying  the  existence  of 
a  disease,  because  they  cannot  see  how  it  was  pro- 
duced, or  the  truth  of  a  fact,  because  they  cannot  ac- 
count for  it.  Such  a  mode  of  reasoning  or  conduct 
would  soon  land  in  the  region  of  downright  scepti- 
cism. How  many  thousand  truths  are  there  that  we 
cannot  account  for ! 

(<  The  facts  in  this  case  we  know — We  know  that 
in  this  summer,  as  well  as  preceding  ones,  cases  of 
Malignant  Fever  have  occurred,  which  could  not  be 
traced  to  any  connection  with  ships  or  infected  per- 
sons— We  have  seen  this  summer  already,  the  case* 

K 


74 

of  Mrs.  Pfifer,  Dougherty,  and  the  four  men  from 
Staylev ***» — these  ail  shew  that  Malignant  Fever  ex- 
ists, and  they  shew  the  solemn  truth  ttiat  it  is  of  do- 
mestic origin.  We  must  not  shut  our  eyes  upon  the 
truth.  The  law  under  which  we  act,  recognizes  in- 
ternals well  as  external  causes  of  disease,  and  it  is 
our  duty  to  look  to  both  ;  but  while  we  know  these 
things,  I  look  upon  it  as  improper  to  make  them  the 
subject  of  newspaper  discussion — the  public  mind 
may  be  irritated  and  inflamed,  but  it  can  never  be 
directed  in  a  proper  course  on  such  a  subject,  in  this 
way.  Before  I  conclude,  permit  me  to  say  that  I 
find  no  fault  with  Dr.  Williamson  or  Dr.  Strmgham; 
as  it  related  to  me  personally  they  have  my  respect; 
and  their  abstaining  from  saying  a  word  of  what  was 
told  to  them,  shews  that  they  felt  and  acted  under 
that  obligation  which  I  have  before  mentioned. 
With  much  respect, 
I  am,  Dear  Sir, 

Year  obedient  servant, 
JOHN  R.  B.  RODGERS. 

Mr.  Jaanes  Hardiei  Secretary  J 
to  the  iioatU  ui  Health."      $ 

I  have  been  thus  particular  in  communicating  all 
the  documents,  of  which  I  was  possessed,  either  in 
favour  of  importation  or  local  origin,  in  order  that  my 
readers  may  t  lie  better  be  enabled  to  judge  for  them- 
selves. In*  the  case  of  Mr.  Dougherty,  however,  it 
is  necessary  to  state,  that  there  are  two  affidavits 
taken  before  the  Mayor;  the  one  by  Captain  Smith, 
of  the  ship  Endeavour,  and  the  other  by  Mr.  Storey, 
of  the  firm  of  Moore  and  Storey ;  both  of  which  are 
to  the  same  purport,  viz.  that"  the  said  Dougherty 
was  down  to  the  quarantine  ground  on  the  seven- 
teenth day,  previous  to  his  being  taken  sick;  and  that 
they  had  reason  to  believe  that  he  was  on  board  of  no 
vessel  whatever,  as  they  saw  him  at  Vanduser's  ferry, 
where  he  continued  only  for  a  short  time,  and  went, 


V 

as  they  supposed,  directly  to  New-York."  But  it 
C5«a  be  of  HuJfi  consequence  to  ascertain,  whether  he 
had  been  on  board  of  any  vessel  at  quarantio  •  ground 
or  not,  as  the  following  extract  of  a  letter  from 
the  Health  -Officer,  of  date  Augu>t  ?th,  in  an- 
to  one  written  to  hivn  by  the  Score- arv, 
shew  that  there  could  be  no  possibility  of  contagion 
at  the  quarantine  ground. 

"  In  answer  to  yours  of  yesterday,  I  have  fo  say, 
that  no  case  of  Yellow  Fever  has  exUted,  either  at 
the  hospital,  or  on  board  the  snipping  at  the  qua- 
rantine ground,  since  the  1st  of  July  last,,  except 
those  sick  persons  who  have  been  sent  from  the  city 
©f  New-York." 

Yv'ith  respect  to  the  case  of  Mr.  Stay ley  and  j 
men  who  were  taken  sick  at 'his  his  house,  it  appears 
difficult  to  assign  any  probable  cause.  The  different 
physicians  who  visited  thern,  previous  to  their  being 
sent  down  to  Staten-Island,  perceived  no  nuisance  of 
any  kind,  which  could  possibly  be  supposed  to  have 
engendered  a  pestilential  disorder.  Biif  as  it  was 
deter. nined  to  use  every  precaution,  Mibbron  and 
Aylesbury,  the  first  two  patients,  were  no  sooner 
removed  than,  as  has  already  been  observed,  their 
bedding  and  wearing  apparel  were  destroyed,  and 
the  apartment  in  which  they  had  lain,  as  well  as 
those  adjoining  to  it,  were  thoroughly  cleansed  and 
white-washed.  The  same  process  was  likewise  re- 
peated, at  the  time  Kirkwood  was  reur\ed.  The 
yard  and  all  the  adjoining  premises,  were  examined 
by  me  with  the  greatest  care ,  but  nothing  was  dis- 
covered, which  could,  in  the  least,  be  siispected  to 
be  the  cause  of  so  dreadful  a  malady.  It  had,  indeed, 
been  said,  that  a  privy  situated  directly  under  the 
window  of  the  room,  in  which  Mr.  Stayley  common- 
ly sat,  emitted  a  very  oilensive  smell  ;  but  upon  exa- 
mination, it  appeared,  thai  it  was  at  the  distance  of 


76 

at  least  six  feet  from  the  window,  that  it  was  very 
deep,  and  that  it  was  kept  as  clean  as  any  in  the  city; 
besides,  the  hostler  who  first  got  sick,  resided  in  a 
part  of  the  house,  the  most  remote  from  this  privy. 
It  cannot,  therefore,  be  well  supposed,  that  there  was 
in  it  any  cause  of  disease. 

That  there  may,  however,*  have  been  some  reason 
of  complaint,  with  respect  to  the  premises,  a  short 
.time  before  the  evil  commenced,  although,  most  pro- 
bably, not  sufficient  to  have  excited  it,  appears  from 
the  affidavit  of  a  very  respectable  gentleman  of  this 
city,  who  deposes  as  follows  : 

City  of  New-York,  ss. 

Nathaniel  Prime  deposes,  Cf  that  he  recently 
kept  his  carriage  at  Mr.  Stayley's  livery-stable ;  that 
in  passing  to  it  some  short  time  before  the  men  took 
sick,  who  were  removed  to  the  quarantine  ground, 
he  experienced  a  very  disagreeable  smell,  which  the 
deponent  supposed  to  proceed,  either  from  Mr.  Stay- 
lev's  or  Mr.  Cheetham's  possessions,  and  Which  he 
ascribed  to  some  old  privy,  the  smell  of  which  was 
probably  excited  by  the  removal  of  rubbish,  as  the 
Vard,  at  that  time,  was  undergoing  a  repair. 

NATHANIEL  PRIME. 

Sworn  '29th  August,  IS 05,  before  > 

Those  acquainted  with  Mr.  Prime  will,  no  doubt, 
place  the  fullest  confidence  in  the  truth  of  his  depo- 
skfti.  Still,  however,  there  is  reason  to  believe, 
thai  though  an  offensive  smell  might  have  been  emit- 
M -A  from  some  old  privy,  either  in  Mr.  Cheetham's 
or  Mr.  Stay  ley's  yard,  it  could  not,  with  propriety, 
have  been  considered  as  the  cause  of  fever.  Indeed, 
if  the  privy  alluded  to,  can  be  supposed  to  have  oc- 
casioned so  great  an  evil,  why,  it  may  be  asked,  were 
not  some  persons  taken  sick  in  Mr.  Cheetham's,  to 


77 

whose  house  the  privy  was  more  contiguous?  But, 
in  the  house  of  this  gentleman,  every  one  enjoyed 
good  health,  whilst  in  Mr,  Stay  ley's,  the  case  was 
widely  different.  To  this  source,  thereibre,  the  evil 
cannot,  with  propriety,  be  attributed. 

■ 

There  are  also  two  depositions  sworn  to  before  his 
Honour  the  Mayor;  the  one  by  Mr.  John  Hyde,  de- 
ceased, late  keeper  of  the  Toutine  Coifee  House, 
dated  the  ith  of  August,  1805;  the  other  by  Mrs.  Ca- 
therine Stayiey,  widow  cf  the  late  Mr.  Andrew  Stay- 
ley,  dated  the  5th  of  September,  ISO  J.  Although  the 
substance  of  these  depositions  might  be  summed  up 
in  a  very  few  words,  yet,  that  there  may  be  no  room 
for  an  accusation  of  partiality  to  either  of  the  theo- 
rists respecting  the  origin  of  Malignant  Fever,  I  ha/e 
deemed  it  most  correct  to  give  them  at  length. 

"  John  Hyde,  keeper  of  the  Tontine  CofTee- 
House,  deposes,  that  Andrew  Stayiey  formerly  lived 
in  his  employ  as  hostler;  that  the  deponent  went  to 
Stayiey 's,  the  day  after  Hibbron,  who  lately  died  at 
the  quarantine  ground,  was  removed  there,  and  en- 
quired of  him,  the  circumstances  of  Hibbron's  case; 
that  Stayiey  told  the  deponent,  that  Hibbron  had 
been  out  an  eveningor  two  before  he  was  taken  sick, 
and  had  come,  at  a  very  late  hour,  rather  in  liquor; 
that  he  (Stayiey)  desired  him  to  go  to  bed,  and  that 
Hibbron  told  him  he  had  been  on  bfrard  some  vessel, 
and  had  bought  an  English  sheep  ;  but  that  the  sheep 
was  never  brought  home,  owing,  as  Stayiey  supposed, 
to  Hibbron's  sickness ;  that  Stayiey  also  told '-the  de- 
ponent, that  this  was  the  first  time  that  he  knew  of, 
that  Hibbron  had  been  out  of  the  yard. 

JOHN  HYDE. 

'worn  the  5th  of  August,  1805,) 
before  De  Witt  Clinton."       j 

"  Catherine  Stayiey,  widow  of  the  late  Andrew 
Stayiey,   livery-stabler,    Maiden-lane,    being  duly 


78 

sworn,  doth  depose  and  say,  that  William  Aylesbury 
told  this  deponent,  that  Christopher  Hibbron,  in  his 
dying  moments,had  declared,that  he  was  very  sorry, 
he  had  told  Mr.  Stayley,  that  he  had  not  been 
on  board  of  any  vessel;  for  that  he  had  staid  part  of 
a  night  on  board  of  a  vessel  at  or  near  Long-Island, 
about  eight  days  previous  to  his  being  taken  sick ; 
and  further  this  deponent  saith  not. 

CATHERINE  STAYLEY. 

Sworn  the  5th  September,  1S05,  > 
before  De  Witt  Clinton."         C 


But  although  from  the  two  last  affidavits,  it  ap- 
pears more  than  probable,  that  Hibbron  had  been  on 
board  of  an  English  ship,  yet  there  are  few  people 
who  will  suppose,  that  Yellow  Fever  could  be  brought 
to  this  country  from  that  quarter.  The  truth  is,  it 
appears  impracticable  to  assign  any  satisfactory  rea- 
son for  the  diseases  of  Stayley '  and  the  hostlers  who 
resided  with  him,  unless  we  suppose,  that,as  they  had 
lately  come  to  this  country,  they  had  not  as  yet  be- 
come sufficiently  inured  to  the  climate,  to  support  the 
intense  heat  of  an  American  summer  •  and  that  they 
had  been  imprudent  in  exposing  themselves  to  the 
night  air. 

Various  cases  of  Malignant  Fever  were  reported 
*by  gentlemen,  who  believe  in  its  local  origin,  during 
the  latter  part  of  August,  and  the  beginning  of  Sep- 
tember s  but  by  those  medical  gentlemen  who  believe 
in  its  importation,  they  were,  in  general.supposed  to 
be  only  the  common  Bilious  Fever  of  the  country. 

To  fgive  the  advocates  of  both  theories  an 
equal  chance,  the  Board  of  Health,  on  the  4th  of 
September,  f<  Besolved,  that  when  any  case  of  Ma- 
lignant Fever  shall  be  reported  by  medical  gentle- 
men, who  believe  in  the  domestic  origin  of  that  dis- 
ease, it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  to  call  upon 
some  of  those  gentlemen,  who  espouse  a  different 


79 

theory,  and  that  the  physicians  so  employed,  shall  be 
paid  by  this  board, and  give  their  opinions  in  writing." 

In  consequence  of  the  preceding  resolution,  the 
Secretary  applied  to  Dr.  Hosack.  The  following 
letters  from  that  gentleman,  will  shew  the  proceed- 
ings which  took  place  in  consequence  thereof. 

"  New-York,  September  5th,  1805. 
"  Dear  Sir, 

"  Yesterday,  at  the  request  of  the  Board  of  Health, 
conveyed  to  me  by  the  secretary,  I  visited  John  Pel- 
sue,  No.  4,  Church-street.  His  symptoms  appear 
to  me  to  be  those  of  the  last  stage  of  the  Yellow  Fe- 
ver. His  short  illness,  and  the  manner  of  his  attack, 
as  related  to  me  by  his  mother,  also  serve  to  confirm 
me  in  that  opinion.  His  removal  to  the  quarantine 
ground*  will,  I  believe,  afford  him  the  best  chance 
of  recovery,  and  as  it  regards  the  health  of  our  city, 
will  certainly  be  a  proper  measure. 

I  am,  Sir,  respectfully  your's,  &c. 

The  Hon.  De  Witt  Clinton." 

"  New-Fork,  September  6th,  1805. 

<c  Dear  Sir, 

a  Accompanied  by  Mr.  Hardie,  I  visited,  this 
morning,  the  following  persons. 

Patrick  M.  Loyre,  in  Thomas-street. 

Air. Davis,  128  Front-street. 

Alexander  Addison,  132  Front-street. 

*  In  consequence  of  the  above  recommendation,  an  oi\.'er  was  made 
•ut  for  his  removal ;  but  his  mother  being  very  unwilling,  and  it  appear- 
ing to  the  Secretary,  that  his  dissolution  was  near  at  hand,  it  was  not 
executed.  He  died  next  day,  and  it  is  evident  that  no  evil  resulted  from 
his  being  permitted  to  remain,  as  every  one  of  those  who  attended  him, 
or  were  anywise  connected  with  him,  continued,  throughout  the  whole 
season,  to  lie  exempt  from  any  thing  resembling  Pestilential  Fever. 


so 

if  r.  Dooly,  1 3  0  Water-street,  and 
Mrs.  Daly,  in  Pine-street. 

€c  I  also  called  in  Augustus-street,  with  the  inten- 
tion to  visit  Mr.  Brannon,  but  learned  that  he  was 
dead.  Jo  the  first  five  of  the  above,  I  cannot  per- 
ceive any  of  the  characteristic  symptoms  of  the  Yel- 
low Fever.  On  the  contrary,  I  trust  the  greater  part 
of  them,  if  not  all,  will  recover  with  ordinary  care  and 
attention.  Brapnon  being  dead,  I  did  not  see  him. 
This  suggests  to  me  the  propriety  of  the  board  re- 
questing  physicians  to  report  their  cases  of  Yellow 
Fever,  in  the  early  stage  of  the  disease,  and  not  to 
defer  their  reports  until  the  patients  are  so  far  ad- 
vanced, that  they  are  unable  to  answer  those  qe.es- 
iious,  which  are  necessary  in  the  investigation  of 
their  complaints;  and  I  believe  it  will  not  be  denied, 
that  in  the J/rs/  stage  of  the  Yellow  Fever,  its  pecu- 
liar characters  are  as  strongly  designated  as  in  the 
last  stage.  I  cannot  but  suspect,  that  many  cases  of 
the  common  Bilious  Fever  of  our  country,  have  been 
re  .ted  as  ceases  of  Yellow  Fever,  in  consequence 
of  the  resemblance  which  exists  in  the  last  stage  of 
most  fevers  at  this  season  of  the  year.  To  distinguish 
them,  n  is  necessary  to  see  them  in  the  early  as  well 
as  in  the  last  stage.  I  will  be  glad  if  the  board  will 
direct,  that  in  any  cases  which  they  may  wish  me  to 
visit,  that  I  may  see  them  as  early  as  possible. 
I  am,  respectfully  your's, 

DAVID  HOSACK. 

The  Hon.  De  Witt  Clinton." 

<c  Neiv-York,  September  $th,  1805. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  In  consequence  of  your  note  of  yesterday,  I 
called  upon  Dr.  Servant,  who  "had  reported  Mr.  Pas- 
chal Smith,  as  ili  of  Malignant  Fever.  He  inform- 
ed me,  that  Mr.  Smith's  disease  manifests  the  cha- 
racteristic symptoms  of  the  Yellow  Fever. 


81 

u  Nancy  Ellis  died  this  morning:  not  having  it 
in  my  power  to  visit  her  last  evening,  I  did  not  see 
her. 

u  Mr.  Taylor,  at  46  Cedar-street,  is,  in  my  opin- 
ion, in  the  last  stage  of  the  most  malignant  form  of 
Yellow  Fever.  Ihe  disease  of  Mr.  Long,  in  Ry- 
der-street, I  also  believe  to  be  of  the  same  sort,  but 
in  a  less  violent  degree. 

"  The  existence  of  this  disease  in  our  city,  being 
now  ascertained  by  physicians  who  hold  opposite  o- 
pinions  relative  to  the  origin  of  yellow  fever,  and  as 
it  was  the  object  of  the  board,  in  requesting  me  to 
visit  some  of  the  cases  reported,  to  give  an  equal 
opportunity  to  the  advocates  of  both  doctrines,  to 
ascertain  the  existence  of  this  peculiar  fever,  I  pre- 
sume the  board  will  now  think  it  unnecessary  for 
me  to  visit  any  more  of  those  cases,  which  may 
hereafter  be  reported. 

I  am,  Sir, 

With  regard,  your's, 

DAVID  HOSACK. 

John  M.  Pintard,  Member  of  > 
the  Board  of  Health."         j 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Health,  on  the  6th 
of  September,  the  following  interesting  communica- 
tion was  received  from  Dr.  Sir  James  Jay. 

"  Nezv-York,  September  5th,  ]  805. 

"  Sir, 

M  The  inclosed  piece  is  written  by  a  man,  who  is 
an  impartial  spectator  of  the  scene  going  on  among 
the  faculty.  Should  the  hints  and  observations  it 
contains,  contribute  in  the  least  to  elucidate  the  con- 
troversy, and  pave  the  way  to  truth,  he  will  not  re* 

h 


gret  the  trouble  of -writing  it.     You  are  at  liberty  to 
make  what  use  of  it  .you  may  think  proper. 
I  remain,  Sir, 

Your  very  humble  servant, 

JAMES  JAY. 
De  Witt  Clinton,  Esq." 

"  When  different  opinions  are  entertained  on  a 
leal  subject,  and  both  parties. pretend  to  found 
their  system  on  facts,  it  is  obviofifs,that  the  first  step 
to  be  taken  towards  a  true  decision,  is  accurately  to 
ascertain  the  principal  facts  on  which  a  solid  and  con- 
clusive judgment  can  be  formed.  Could  this  be  done 
in  the  case  of  Yellow  fever,  in  such  a  way,  that  men 
cf  tolerable  education  and  common  sense,  who  are 
net  of  the  profession,  could  easily  see  into  the  merits 
of  the  dispute,  and  form  a  rational  and  solid  judgment 
on  the  subject,  it  would,  I  presume,  afford  considera- 
ble satisfaction,  and  be  of  no  less  utility. 

"  This,  I  think,  might  be  effected  in  a  great  de- 
gree, were  some  such  mode  of  proceeding  as  the  fol- 
lowing to  be  adopted.  Desire  the  leaders  of  each 
party  to  give  you,  in  writings  an  accurate  history  or 
description  of  Yellow  Fever,  mentioning  particularly 
the  peculiar  symptoms  attending  its  commencement, 
progress  and  termination,  which  distinguish  Yellow 
Fever  from  any  other  fever.  These  descriptions  of 
Yellow  Fever  will  be  a  kind  of  standard  for  you  and 
other  gentlemen  to  judge  by,  of  all  doubtful  cases  that 
may  subsequently  occur.  When  you  have  obtained 
such  a  history  from  each  party,  whenever  a  suspici- 
ous case  appears,  let  a  physician  of  each  party  visit 
the  patient,  and  if  they  disagree  as  to  the  disorder, 
let  them  give  you  an  account  of  the  symptoms  at- 
tending the  case ;  from  whence,  by  comparing  it  with 
the  standard,  you  may  be  able  to  judge  whether  it 
is  Yellow  Fever  or  not ;  and  whether  the  sick  person 
should  be  removed  or  not,  to  the  Marine  Hospital. 


83 

In  the  execution  of  this  plan,  it  is  probable  that  a 
good  deal  of  reasoning  may  be  offered  by  the  parties, 
in  support  of  their  respective  opinions  ;  but  as  all  rea- 
soning on  the  subject,  that  is  not  founded  on  char, 
indisputable  facts,  tends  rather  to  confound  and  ob- 
scure, than  to  elucidate  the  subject,  Sr  will  deserve 
no  further  attention  than  politeness  dictates.  Hip- 
pocrates, who  wrote  above  two  thousand  years  ago, 
was  so  sensible  of  the  insufficiency  of  speculative  opi- 
nions, that  he  declared,  '  no  benefit  is  to  be  del  I 
in  medicine,  from  mere  reasoning,  but  from  such  as 
is  demonstrated  by  experience  to  be  true;  for  un- 
founded assertions,  however  strongly  urged,  with  a 
profusion  of  words,  are  fallacious,  and  lead  to  error.' 

"  Lest  these  reflections  should  appear  illiberal,  it 
becomes  necessary  to  unfold,  in  some  measure,  the 
weakness  of  the  profession.  It  is  to  be  regretted, 
but  it  is  nevertheless  true,  that  an  unhappy  fatality 
has  generally  attended  the  science  of  medicine,  which 
incited  its  professors,  even  the  most  learned  of  them, 
to  dispute  warmly  about  matters,  which  an  unlet- 
tered man,  of  common  sense,  would  think  could  be 
determined  by  plain  experiments.  For  instance,  it 
is  reasonable  to  think,  that  were  the  same  medicine 
to  be  given  in  similar  cases,  it  would  uniformly  pro- 
duce similar  effects,  and  impress  every  person  with 
the  same  idea  of  its  good  or  bad  qualities;  and  that 
to  ascertain  its  merits  or  demerits,  nothing  need  be 
done  but  to  give  it  a  fair  and  accurate  trial.  Yet  the 
utility  of  the  bark,  mercury  and  antimony,  all  excel- 
lent medicines,  was  contested  many  years,  in  the 
most  enlightened  parts  of  Europe.  So  true  is  the 
observation  of  Galen, '  that  erroneous  opinions,  when 
they  prepossess  the  minds  of  men,  not  only  ren- 
der them  deaf  but  blind,  so  that  they  cannot  see  what 
appears  plain  to  other  people/  And  a  little  further 
he  adds,  *  physicians  seldom  agree  on  medical  sub- 
jects; they  not  only  differ,  but  maintain  the  most 


84 

contradictory  opinions.'  The  late  learned  and  cele- 
brated Doctor  Huxham  pbserves, '  that  from  the  days 
of"  Galen,  and  indeed  long  before,  vain  hypothesis, 
the  love  of  novelty,  the  fashion  and  faction  of  physic, 
too  often  led  its  professors  devious,  and  attached  them 
to  error;  and  it  is  too  well  known,  the  same  misfor- 
tunes still  attend  us/  It  may  with  truth  be  added, 
that  while  physicians  pursued  a  vain,  delusive  theory 
hi  treating  the  Small-pox,  they  rendered  that  de- 
structive disease  still  more  fatal.  When  they  conde- 
scended to  observe  and  follow  nature,  they  then,  and 
not  till  then,  began  to  be  of  service  to  mankind  in 
that  distemper. 

"  This  little  sketch  of  medical  history,  by  shewing 
what  lengths  physicians  have  gone  in  support  of  a 
favorite  theory,  and  the  ill  consequences  resulting 
from  such  a  procedure,  will  render  men  of  sense  cau- 
tious of  adopting  the  opinion  of  any  physician  on  a 
controverted  point.  It  likewise  strengthens  what 
has  been  said  above,  that  the  only  sure  way  to  arrive 
at  truth  in  the  present  case,  is  by  adhering  closely  to 
an  accurate  enquiry  into  facts,  till  a  sufficient  collec- 
tion of  them  shall  be  obtained,  to  enable  a  man  of 
common  education  and  understanding,  to  form  a  just 
opinion  on  the  subject. 

"  To  shew  how  cautious  we  ought  to  be  in  sending 
sick  persons  to  the  Marine  Hospital,  I  shall  make  a 
few  observations,  which  evince  that  the  utmost  cir- 
cumspection should  be  used  on  those  occasions.  The 
many  instances  of  the  amazing  influence  of  the  mind 
on  the  body,  which  are  recorded  by  historians  as 
well  as  physicians,  prove  that  the  passions  and  affec- 
tions of  the  mind,  are  among  the  most  powerful  and 
active  instruments  that  can  be  emploj'ed  for  the  de- 
struction or  preservation  of  the  body.  Sudden  joy, 
grief  and  fright,  have  occasioned  immediate  death. 
The  fire  of  ambition^  confidence,  faith  and  hope  have 


S3 

raised  man\  persons  from  dangerous  diseases  to 
health  and  strength.  On  the  other  hand,  anxiety, 
despair,  and  fear,  not  only  make  men  more  suscepti- 
ble of  contagion,  but  have  brought,  on  infirmities  of 
the  worst  kind;  and  have  even  rendered  diseases 
mortal;  where  no  danger  was  otherwise  to  be  ap- 
prehended. Thus,  many  people,  who  were  long 
impressed  with  a  belief  that  they  would  die  with  the 
small-pox,  have  sunk  under  the  disorder  before  any 
symptom  of  its  virulence  appeared. 

"  The  consideration  of  the  very  pernicious  influence 
of  the  mind,  on  people  in  general,  in  a  place  where 
contagion  really  does  or  is  supposed  to  exist,  and  the 
frequent  unfounded  reports  of  yellow  fever  that  are 
spread  in  this  city,  excite  a  wish  that  some  steps  were 
taken  to  prevent  our  citizens  from  crediting  any  ac- 
count of  cases  of  yellow  fever,  except  such  as  may  be 
published  by  the  Board  of  Health. 

"  Let  me  now  ask,  whether  it  is  not  reasonable  to 
think,  if  a  person  should  be  attacked  with  a  common 
fever,  and  should  apprehend  it  to  be  yellow  i'evei^ 
that  such  an  idea  would  endanger  his  recovery,  and 
much  more  so,  if  his  physician  should  adopt  the  same 
injurious  opinion  ?  Still  more  dangerous  wrould  such 
an  idea  be  likely  to  prove,  were  persons  in  a  com- 
mon fever,  but  in  that  unhappy  state  of  mind,  to  be 
sent  from  their  friends  and  family  to  the  marine  hos- 
pital, under  a  positive  declaration  that  they  had  yel- 
low fever .  The  safety  of  the  city  is  certainly  not  to 
be  risked  for  the  sake  of  any  individual :  but  per- 
haps it  would  not  be  improper,  nor  paying  too  great 
a  tribute  to  humanity,  if  a  suspicious  case  should  not 
be  precipitately  sent  to  the  hospital,  nor  until  a  phy- 
sician of  each  party  had  examined  the  patient,  and 
accurately  reported  his  case  to  the  Board  of  Health. 
This  city  and  the  neighbouring  country,  have  tor  a 
long  period  of  time,  been  annually  visited,   at  this 


8f> 

season,  with  bilious  fever,  a  disease  which  is  neither 
dangerous, 'nor  difficult  of  cure;  unless  the  case  has 
been  neglected  or  injudiciously  treated.  Yet  this 
fever,  th  oigh  distinct  from  yellow  fever,  sometimes 
assumes  appearances  which  might  induce  an  incau- 
tious observer  to  pronounce  it  yellow  fever.  And 
that  such  mistakes  have  been  committed,  I' conclude, 
not  only  from  the  cases  which  I  have  seen,  but  from 
this  remarkable  circumstance,  that  in  the  reports  of 
deaths  and  new  cases,  published  by  authority  during 
the  yellow  fever  of  1803,  there  is  not  a  single  instance 
of  a  person's  being  taken  ill  or  having  died  of  bili- 
ous fever.  This  omission  is  very  extraordinary,  and 
can  only  be  accounted  for  on  the  principle  that  bili- 
ous fever,  in  all  cases  of  it,  at  the  time,  was  mistaken 
for  yellow  fever. 

"  Notwithstanding  the  partiality  of  medical  men  to 
their  own  opinions  aha  tneories,  it  is  to  be  hoped 
that  the  gentlemen  of  the  profession  in  this  city,  will 
become  impressed  with  the  importance  of  rescuing 
our  country  from  the  dread  and  ravages  of  Yellow 
Fever.  On  this  consideration,  they  will  undoubt- 
edly lay  aside  all  prejudices,  and  cordially  unite  in 
investigating  the  nature  of  the  disease,  and  in  endea- 
vouring to  discover  a  method  of  rendering  it  less  dan- 
gerous and  destructive.  Nor  should  they  despair  of 
effecting  those  desirable  ends.  The  Small-pox,  for 
a  great  length  of  time,  was  as  fatal  to  mankind,  as 
Yellow  Fever  is  at  present.  Science  at  length  found 
but  a  way  to  overcome  its  virulence,  and  it  is  no 
longer  the  dread  and  scourge  of  nations.  And  why 
may  we  not  indulge  the  pleasing  thought,  that  sci- 
ence may  be  equally  successful  in  subduing  the  Yel- 
low Fever  :  and  that  our  American  physicians  may 
have  the  honour  of  accomplishing  the  great  work? 
Their  liberal  and  spirited  exertions  in  so  laudable  an 
attempt,  would,  in  any  event,  insure  them  the  grati- 
tude of  their  fellow  citizens :  and  should  they  succeed, 


S7 

they  will  do  honour  to  their  profession  and  them- 
selves, enjoy  the  satisfaction  of  imparting  health  and 
happiness  to  their  country,  and  be  ever  ranked  among 
the  benefactors  of  mankind." 

In  order,  that  I  might  exhibit,  at  one  view,  the 
opinions  of  different  physicians  respecting  the  ori- 
gin and  existence  of  malignant  fever  in  the  city,  I 
have  deviated  considerably  trom  chronological  or- 
der. I  now  return  to  the  proceedings  of  the  board* 
towards  the  end  of  July. 

On.the  2yth  of  that  month,  the  following  report 
was  published : — 

TO  THE  PUBLIC. 

Inconsequence  of  alarming  reports  of  malignant 
cases  of  fever  having  occurred  in  this  city,  the 
Board  of  Health  think  it  proper  to  state,  that  an 
unusual  degree  of  health  at  present  prevails,  and 
that  no  case  of  malignant  fever,  so  far  as  they  know, 
now  exists  in  New-York.  A  few  cases  of  unfa- 
vorable appearance  were  observed  a  few  days  ago  ; 
but  the  sick  were  removed  to  the  marine  hospital, 
and  every  precaution  was  taken  to  guard  against 
any  farther  evil.  The  constant  vigilance  exercised 
at  the  quarantine  establishment,  the  incessant  at- 
tention to  the  removal  of  nuisances  in  the  city  and 
the  present  favorable  state  of  the  weather,  all  en- 
courage a  reasonable  hope,  that  the  season  will  pass 
away,  without  any  malignant  epidemic.  The  Board 
pledge  themselves  to  their  fellow-citizens  to  give  ear- 
ly and  wire  seized  notice  of  danger,  if  any  should 
occur.  By  the  unanimous  order  of  the  board  of 
health. 

DE  WITT  CLINTON,  President. 
James  Hardie,  Sec'ry. 

Office  of  the  Board  of  Health,  > 

New-York,  July  27th,  1805.") 


S8 

On  the  29th  of  July,in  consequence,  not  only  of 
private  letters,  but  of  the  affidavits  of  different  mas- 
ters of  vessels,  that  a  pestilential  disease  prevailed 
at  Providence,  in  Rhode-Island,  his  Honour  the 
Mayor,  in  pursuance  of  the  advice  of  the  Board  of 
Heahh,issued  a  proclamation,directing  "that  all  ves- 
sels which  might  arrive  at  this  port  from  Providence, 
should  be  subject  to  quarantine  of  course,  and  that 
no  person  should  be  permitted  to  enter  the  city  and 
county  of  New- York,  who  had  been  within  the  said 
town  of  Providence,  within  fourteen  days,  next  pre- 
ceding his  or  her  arrival,  in  the  said  citv  and  countv 
of  New- York." 

On  the  same  day  (29th  July)  the  following  pro- 
clamation was,  likewise,  published. 

PROCLAMATION 

BY  THE  B©ARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW-YORK. 

"  Whereas,  from  a  proclamation  of  the  Board  of 
Health  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  dated  the  25th  of 
this  month,  it  appears,  that  Ludowick  Brode,  mate, 
and  William  Cross,  seaman,  of  the  brig  Ann-Jane, 
had  made  their  escape  from  the  Lazaretto  of  the  said 
city,  and  that  it  was  supposed,  that  one  of  them  in- 
tended to  proceed  to  the  city  of  New- York.  In  or- 
der, therefore,  to  enforce  as  far  as  practicable,  on  the 
part  of  this  board,  the  health  laws  of  Pennsylvania, 
as  zvell  as  to  deter  infected  persons  from  coming  into 
this  place,  an  additional  reward  of  fifty  dollars  is  here- 
by offered,  for  the  apprehension  of  either  of  the  said 
persons,  within  the  bounds  of  the  city  and  county 
of  New-York. 

In  behalf  and  by  order  of  the  Board  of  Health, 
DE  WITT  CLINTON,  President. 

James  Hardie,  Sec  ry." 


8§ 

On  the  5th  of  August,  the  following  report  was 
published. 

"Since  the  last  address  of  this  board,  a  case  of 
Malignant  Fever  has  occurred  at  No.  12?  Water- 
street,  and  a  Mr.  James  Dougherty,  who  was  the 
subject,  was  removed  to  the  Marine  Hospital,  on  the 
30th  ult.  and  died  on  the  evening  of  that  day. 

<c  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  mention,  that  all  pro- 
per precautionary  measures  were  immediately  adopt- 
ed by  the  Board  of  Health,  who  can  confidently  as- 
sure their  fellow  citizens,  that  no  case  of  Malignant 
Fever  exists  in  the  city,  and  that  there  is  nothing,  in 
the  state  of  the  public  health,  that  ought  to  create 
apprehension  or  alarm. 

By  order  of  the  Board  of  Health, 
DE  WITT  CLINTON,  President. 

James  Hardie,  Sec'ry. 

Office  of  the  Board  of  Health,  ) 
5th  August,  1805."  $ 

On  the  18th  of  August,  the  Mayor  of  this  city  hav- 
ing received  information  from  the  Mayor  and  Board 
of  Health  of  New-Haven,  that  that  city  was  restored 
to  its  usual  health,  issued  a  proclamation  revoking 
the  one  of  the  26th  of  July,  and  authorizing  the  re- 
newal of  the  customary  intercourse  between  that  city 
and  ours. 

On  the  29th  of  August,  the  following  report  was 
published  by  the  board. 

"  The  Board  of  Health  are  happy  to  congratulate 
their  fellow  citizens  on  the  present  favourable  state 
of  the  health  of  the  city. 

"  The  drought,  which  has  hitherto  been  so  long 
and  severe  is,  at  length,  mitigated  by  temperate 

M 


90 

showers.     A  si  >h  of  rainy  weather  may  reason- 

ably be  expected.     The  consequent  change  from  an 
extreme  dry,  to  a  humid  atmosphere,  may  prove  very 
Unfavourable,  unless  every  mean  be  used  to  ventilate 
and  purify  cellars  in  the  lower  parts  of  the  city.     The 
board,  therefore,  recommend  the  utmost  attention  to 
this  important  subject,  and  confidently  hope,  that  a 
vigorous  perseverance,  for  a  few  weeks  longer,  in  the 
precautionary  measures  hitherto  pursued,  will,  under 
the  smiles  of  Providence,  avert  every  cause  of  danger. 
Bv  order  of  the  Board, 
DE  WITT  CLINTON,  President. 
James  Hardie,  Sec'ry.,> 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  next  report  which 
was  issued  by  the  board,  viz.  on  the  Cih  of  Septem- 
ber, by  which  it  will  appear,  that  the  pleasing  pn  &- 
pect  which  had  been  entertained  oh  i.  ^  of 

August,  were  far  fr<  ig  realiz. 

"  0  Cue  Board  of  Health, 

iSeplanbcr  S,  1605, 

"  Since  the  last  reporl 

ith  respect  1  altiipf'th.^city,  td  jus- 

tify ah/  .  which  ] 

n  (1,  the  hoard  have  been  assiduou  Joyed,  not 

only  in  executing  the  pi  ►nary  powers  deposited 

in  their  hands,  but  in  obtaining  as  accurate  an  account 
as  possible,  of  the  true  state  of  the  general  health. 

"  In  the  conflict  of  opinion,  it  is  extremely  difficult 
to  arrive  at  the  truth,  but  the  board  submit  the  fol- 
lowing as  the  result  of  their  enquiries.  Ten  cases  of 
Malignant  Fever  have  occurred  since  Monday  last ; 
five  cases  of  a  doubtful  nature,  some  of  which  have 
been  removed  into  the  country  or  Marine  Hospital, 
and  four  deaths. 


91 

<*  Popular   rumour  has  vastly  exaggerated   the 
number  of  cases,  wherel  lue  alarm  has  been 

cited.     The  board  are  extremely  anxious  to  impress 
on  their  fellow -citizens,  the  imp  of  giving 

credit  to  unauthehticated  l  rest  j 

assured,  that  as  long  as  the  present 
state  of  the  public  health  continues,  a  candid,  undis- 
guised account  of  the  real  situation  oi  .    shall 
be  regularly  published. 

"  Considerable  anxiety  h.as  prevailed  respecting 
the  power  of  the  board,  to  remove  persons  sick  of 
Malignant  Fever.     This  power,  which  has  been  le- 
gally invested  in  the  board,  and  which  has  for  a  lev 
time,  been  exercised  by  the  Commissioners  of  t 
Health-Office  has,  in  even'  instance,  been  used  with 
the  utmost  delicacy  and  discretion.   Of  those  patients 
who  were  citizens,  it  has  been  left  entirely  at  their 
option,  to  provide  retreats.     Others,  who  have  been 
removed  to  the  Marine  Hospital,  were  mos  an- 

gers, friendless  and  without  families,  and  have  be 
provided  with  every  comfort  and  convenience.  Should 
the  fever  continue  to  prevail,  Bellevue  Hospital  will 
be  opened.     The  buildings  belonging  to  this  estab- 
lishment have  been  recently  repaired,  with  cousid 
able  improvements,  and  every  accommodation  hi 
been  liberally  provided  for  the  si 

**  The  part  of  the  city  which,  at  present,  appears 
to  be  the  principal  seat  of  the  disease,  is  Water  am 
Front-streets,  between  the  Fly-Market  and  Old-si*^ 
By  order  of  the  Board  of  Health, 
DE  WITT  CLINTON,  President, 
James  IIardie,  See'ry." 

On  the  same  day,  the  City-Inspectoi's  Office  was 
moved  from  the  Federal-Hat!  to  the  Office  of  the 

Board  pf  Health, corner  of  Chamber-street  and  Broad- 
way, where  that  gentleman,  except  between  nine 


92 

and  eleven  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  he  went 
daily  to  visit  the  Hospital  at  Bellevue,  constantly  at- 
tended, during  the  whole  time  of  the  sickness,  from 
six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  until  nine  at  night.  About 
this  time  also,  the  Banks,  the  Custom-House,  the 
Post-Office,  and  the  printers  of  the  Daily  News-pa- 
pers in  general,  moved  their  respective  offices  to  the 
village  of  Greenwich,  to  which  place  also,  a  number  of 
our  most  respectable  merchants  and  others  resorted. 

On  the  8th  of  September,  the  Board  of  Health  re- 
solved, that  for  the  accommodation  of  poor  patients, 
Bellevue  Hospital  should  be  opened.  At  the  same 
time,  Doctor  Richard  L.  Walker  was  appointed  as 
visiting  physician,  at  the  aforesaid  hospital,  Dr.  Elias 
"Winfield  as  the  resident  physician,  and  Drs.  M'Lean, 
Buchannan,  Huyler  and  Kunzie,  as  physicians  to  at- 
tend the  sick  poor  in  the  city.  It  was  also  resolved, 
that  from  henceforth,  during  the  prevalence  of  the 
sickness,  the  board  should  meet  daily. 

On  the  10th  day  of  September,  the  board  reported 
twenty-nine  cases  of  Malignant  Fever  and  three 
deaths.  They,  at  the  same  time,  published  the  fol- 
lowing address. 

"  Office  of  the  Board  of  Health, 

September  \0tk,  1805. 

"  The  Board  of  Health  being  extremely  anxious 
to  be  informed  of  the  precise  state  of  the  prevalent 
disease,  they  therefore  request  physicians  to  be 
prompt  and  accurate  in  making  the  returns  required 
by  law.  The  power  of  removal,  which  has  been 
vested  in  them,  will  only  be  exercised  in  cases  of 
transient  persons,  abandoned  and  without  the  means 
of  support.  The  disease  being  unquestionably  pre- 
valent, those  measures  which  the  public  safety  might 
have  inperiously  commanded,  at  its  commencement, 


93 

are  now  in  some  measure  unnecessary,  from  the  con- 
viction, that  the  exercise  of  them  in  the  unhealthy 
parts  of  the  city,  will  be  of  little  or  no  use. 

"  The  Common  Council  have,  at  their  last  meet- 
ing, entrusted,  during  the  recess,  thesuperintendance 
of  the  Fire  and  Watch  Departments  to  this  board. 
It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  mention,  that  the  city  is, 
at  this  period, greatly  exposed  to  danger,  which  might 
be  prevented  or  obviated  by  a  faithful  and  vigilant 
performance  of  the  duties  of  the  firemen  and  watch- 
men. The  board  have  no  reason  to  doubt  the  zeal 
and  fidelity  of  their  fellow-citizens  attached  to  these 
departments.  On  the  contrary  they  are  persuaded, 
that  their  attention  to  their  duties  will  be  proportion- 
ed to  the  emergencies,  which  demand  a  faithful  exe- 
cution of  them.  The  citizens,  who  remove,  are  re- 
quested to  send  their  tire-buckets  to  the  City  Hall 
or  Bridewell,  for  which  the  corporation  will  be  re- 
sponsible. The  captains  of  the  watch  will  make  im- 
mediate reports  of  all  delinquents,  and  the  board  wrill 
not  forget,  at  a  suitable  time,  those  men,  who  dis- 
tinguish themselves,  by  their  meritorious  exertions. 
The  Board  call  upon  all  the  officers  of  the  city  to  ex- 
ert themselves  upon  this  occasion*,  and  they  earn- 
estly recommend  to  their  fellow-citizens,  in  general, 
to  lay  aside  any  differences  or  animosities,  at  this  sea- 
son of  common  calamity,  and  to  unite  with  them  in 
endeavouring  to  alleviate  the  evils,  with  which  we 
are  visited. 

Bv  order  of  the  Board  of  Health, 

DE  WITT  CLINTON,  President, 
JOHN  PINTARD,  City-Inspector." 

*  It  is  a  circumstance,  which  certainly  reflects  the  highest  honour,  not 
only  upon  the  Board  of  Health,  the  Police  Justices,  and  the  officers  em- 
ployed in  different  departments  under  the  Corporation,  but  also  upon 
theVitizens  at  huge,  that,  although  the  lower  part  of  the  city  was,  in  a 
great  measure,  evacuated,  no  robbery,  burglary,  or  lire,  worthy  of  no- 
lice,  occurred  during  this  season  of  calamity. 


34 

On  the  ISth  September  the  Board  published  the 
following  address  : 

"  The  Board  of  Health  have  made  a  considerable 
augmentation  of  the  watch  in  the  exposed  parts  of 
the  city,  and  will  not  fail  to  make  further  arrange- 
ments from  time  to  time  as  Ihe  public  exigencies  may 
require. 

"  They  have  also  given  special  di rections  for  the 
preservation  of  the  city  against  fire.  They,  therefore, 
trust,  that  their  fellow-citizens  will  feel  perfectly  sa- 
tisfied, that  every  possible  precaution  has  been  a- 
dopted  for  the  public  security.  The  great  amount 
of  property,  at  present  in  the  village  of  Greenwich 
stored  in  wooden  buildings  is  exposed  to  considera- 
ble hazard  from  fire. 

cc  The  fire  wardens  of  the  eighth  ward  are  especial- 
ly enjoined  to  use  every  precautionary  measure,  with 
the  utmost  promptitude  and  vigilance  and  report  to 
this  board. 

"  Physicians  have  been  engaged  to  attend  the  in- 
digent sick. 

DE  WITT  CLINTON,  Presfdent. 
James  Hardie,  Secretary. " 

On  the  same  day  directions  were  given  to  Mr. 
Brown,  chief  engineer  of  the  fire  department  to  pro- 
vide an  extra  fire  engine  for  the  security  of  persons 
and  property  in  the  village  of  Greenwich,  and  the 
order  was  executed  with  a  promptitude  highly  cre- 
ditable to  that  gentleman.  A  fire  company  was 
also  immediately  organized  to  take  charge  of  it. 

On  the  13th  of  September,  directions  were  given 
.to  the  Secretary  to  endeavour  to  persuade  as  many 
persons  as  possible,  who  lived  in  the  infected  part  of 


95 

the  city  to  more  to  the  country  ;  and  on  the  1 4th  tL  i 
following  address  was  published  by  the  Board  :  J\ 

"  The  Board  have  formed  a  decided  opinion,  that 
the  principal  seat  of  the  prevailing  disease  is  that  part 
of  the  city  included  between   Burling-slip  and  Old- 
slip  as  far  west  as  Pearl-street.  Almost  ail  the  cases 
of  disease,  which  have  occurred^  can  be  distinctly 
traced  to  a  communication  with  that  part  of  the  city. 
It  is  matter  of  extreme  regret,  that  the  repeated  ad- 
monitions of  the  board,  to  remove  from  this  quarter 
have  been  disregarded  by  a  number  of  individuals, 
who  have   remained  the  self-devoted  victims  of  d; 
ease  and  death.     They  conceive  it  their  duty  again 
to  enjoin  it  upon  their  fellow-citizens,  who  have  con- 
tinued there,  to    remove  immediately.     To  obviat 
every  plea  of  necessity,  and  to  discharge  the  duties 
they  owe  to  humanity,  the  board  have  erected  build- 
ings for  the  reception  and  accommodation  of  the  in- 
digent, at  Bellevue  gate,  where  they  will  be  supplied 
with  provisions  by  the  Commissioners  oftheAhns- 
House.     Such  as  are  able  to  remove  without  assist- 
ance, are  enjoined  to  go  into  the  country,  and  n 
into  flie  healthy  parts  of  the  city.     The  board  wili 
consider  it  their  duty  to  interpose  and  prevent  sue 
removals,  which  have  excited  the  apprehension  of a 
number  of  wort  by  citizens,  who  regard  their  health,  as 
thereby  exposed  to  imminent  danger.*  Persons  have 
been  engaged  in  these  practices,  who  ought  to  know 
better,  and  who,  unless  their  conduct  be  changed, 
will  become  the  objects  of  severe  reprehension  and 
public  indignation.     All  persons  who  do  not  comply 
forthwith,  with  this  advice  of  the  board,  to  remove 
from  the  above  described  part  of  the  city,  which  is 
— \ . 

*  This  alludes  to  two  gentlemen  who  reside  in  healthy  parts  of  the 
city,  each  of  whom  had  taken  a  sick  person  into  his  house,  from  places    E 
deemed  infected.     One  of  these  died  ;  but  it  is  a  fact,  that  no  individual 
in  either  family  sickened  in  consequence  thereof.     All  the  neighbours, 
likewise,  continued  to  enjoy  good  health. 


9« 

deemed  the  principal  seat  of  the  disease,  and  which 
does  not  contain  more  than_33ja.Qres,  will  be  consi- 
dered guilty  of  a  wanton  exposure  of  their  lives,  and 
will  justify  the  board  in  resorting  to  compulsory  mea- 
sures. 

By  order  of  the  Board  of  Health, 
DE  WITT  CLINTON,  President. 
James  Haroie,  Sec'ry." 

At  the  same  time  directions  were  again  given  to 
the  Secretary,  to  attempt  to  persuade  as  many  peo- 
ple as  he  possibly  could,  to  remove  from  the  infected 
part  of  the  city  to  retreats  of  their  own  choice,  if  they 
were  in  sufficient  circumstances  to  maintain  them- 
selves; if  not,  to  advise  them  to  remove  to  the  new 
buildings  at  Bellevue  gate.  In  consequence  of  which, 
the  householders  residing  in  the  parts  alluded  to, 
were  generally  waited  upon,  and  by  far  the  greater 
number  left  the  city.  About  this  time,  likewise,  se- 
veral cases  of  the  disease  made  their  appearance  in 
Rider-street  and  Eden's-alley.  The  buildings  there 
are  small,  and  much  crowded ;  the  street  narrow  and 
confined ;  and  the  greater  part  of  the  people  poor, 
and  far  from  being  cleanly  in  their  mode  of  living; 
besides,  it  was  recollected,  that  in  the  year  1798,  out 
of  upwards  of  thirty  families,  who  then  dwelt  there, 
no  one  escaped  sickness,  and  that  only  two  families 
were  exempt  from  death.  It  therefore  became  pe- 
culiarly desirable,  that  as  many  of  them  as  possible 
should  be  induced  to  more ;  and  in  the  space  of  a 
day  or  two,  almost  the  whole  of  the  inhabitants  were 
lodged  at  Bellevue  gate,  and  such  were  the  accom- 
modations and  treatment  which  they  received,  that 
many  of  those,  who  were  with  difficulty  persuaded  to 
go  thither,  have  afterwards  returned  their  most  grate- 
ful acknowledgments.  The  number  provided  for  at 
this  asylum,  amounted  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  men, 
women  and  children ;  of  whom,  about  thirty  men 
were  employed  in  working  on  the  middle  road  lead- 


97 

iug  through  the  property  belonging  to  the  corpora- 
tion, whose  wages  tended  to  lessen  the  expence  in- 
curred for  the  maintenance  of  their  families.  The 
good  order  and  regularity  observed  amongst  these 
people,  was  extremely  gratifying  to  all  who  visited 
them.  None  seemed  discontented,  but,  on  the  other 
hand,  they  were  friendly  to  each  other,  and  seemed 
perfectly  happy.  This  was,  no  doubt,  in  a  great 
measure,  owing  to  the  superintendant,  Mr.  Richard 
Nixon,  whose  prudent  and  conciliatory  mariners,  had 
the  most  happy  effect  in  keeping  up  that  harmony, 
which  was  so  eminently  conspicuous. 

But  whilst  I  record  with  pleasure  the  utility  of  the 
establishment  at  Bellevue  gate,  it  would  be  highly 
improper  to  omit  to  mention  the  philanthropy  of  a 
private  individual,  whose  examplej  it  is  devoutly  to 
be  wished,  may,  at  future  periods  of  pestilential  dis- 
ease, if  such  should  unfortunately  happen,  be 
followed  by  other  wealthy  landlords  of  this  city.  The 
gentleman  to  whom  I  allude,  is  Mr.  Patrick  M'." 
a  native  of  Ireland,  who  resides  in  Augustus-Street, 
in  which  he  has  a  number  of  houses.  Several  cases 
of  the  disease  had  occurred  in  that  street,  and  some 
deaths.  Mr.  McKoy  deemed  it  advisable  to  move 
with  his  family  to  a  house,  which  he  had  lately  built, 
at  the  intersection  of  the  Bowery  and  Bellevue  roads; 
but  his  humanity  would  not  permit  him  to  over 
the  perilous  situation  of  his  poor  tenants.  He,  with 
the  greatest  possible  dispatch,  had  buildings  erected 
for  their  accommodation  near  to  his  own  house,  to 
which  there  removed  upwards  of  one  hundred  per- 
sons, men,  women  and  children.  I  have,  with 
most  heart  felt  satisfaction,  visited  these  people,  a- 
mongst  whom  was  observed  the  same  good  order  and 
decorum  to  exist,  as  amongst  those  at  the  Belle  vue- 
gate.  By  the  humanity  of  the  Corporation  in  the 
first  of  these  instances,  and  of  Mr.  M'Koy  in  the 
second,  there  can  be  no  doubt,  that  many  of  those 

N 


people  are  now  in  good  health,  who  would  otherwise 
have  been  numbered  amongst  the  dead. 

I  now  proceed  to  the  further  transactions  of  the 
Board  of  Health.  From  the  middle  of  September 
till  the  1st  of  October,  nothing  very  remarkable  oc- 
curred before  that  body,  except  their  unremitting 
care  to  relieve  the  exigencies  of  the  poor,  to  mitigate 
the  sorrows  of  the  sick  and  afflicted,  and  to  provide 
&r  the  general  safety  of  the  public.  It,  likewise,  re- 
l  much  attention  and  was  fraught  with  consi- 
derable expenees  to  supply  suitable  nurses  for  the 
sick  poor.  The  care  ot  this  department  was,  in  a 
great  measure,  invested  in  an  officer  of  the  Board, 
whose  duty  it  was,  not  only  to  procure  nurses,  but, 
from  day  to  day,  to  visit  the  families  in  which  they 
were,  to  examine  into  their  conduct,  and  in  case  of 
improper  behaviour  on  their  pari,  to  remove  them  and 
substitute  others.  He  was,  likewise,  from  time  to 
time,  furnished  with  small  sums  of  money  for  the  oc- 
casional relief  of  such  families. 

About  this  time,  hhe  reports  had  been 
spread  abroad  in  the  country,  announcing  the 
breaking  up  of  several  warehouses,  &c.  in  the  city. 
To  obviate  unnecessary  alarm  on  this  subject,  the 
following  address  was  published,  on  the  1st  of  Oct. 
"  Unfounded  reports  having  been  propagated  tend- 
ing to  alarm  the  apprehensions  of  our  absent  fellow- 
citizens,  that  several  ware- houses  and  dwelling-houses 
have  been  broken  open,  the  Board  consider  it  proper 
to  declare,  that  no  such  occurrence,  to  their  know- 
>,  has  happened.  On  the  contrary,  the  vigi- 
lance of  the  watchmen,  through  every  part  of  the 
city,  especially  in  the  lower  parts  is  such  that  no 
attempt  of  the  kind  can  be  made  without  immediate 
detection.  Our  fellow-citizens  may,  therefore,  rest 
perfectly  satisfied,  that  as  far  as  depends  on  this 
board  and  the  departments  under  them,  the  safety 
and  the  tranquillity  of  the  city  will  be  secure." 


99 

On  the  1  Jth  of  October,  although  the  number  of 
deaths  had  considerably  diminished,  yet  the  board 
thought  it  proper  "  to  advise  those  of  their  fellow- 
citizens,  who  had  removed  into  the  country  against 
returning,  especially  to  tfe lower  part  of  the  clr  , 
until  notice  be  given  that  they  may  do  the  same  with  * 
safety/'  It  was  also  recommended  to  cause  ail  houses 
and  apartments  that  have  been  shut  up  for  some  time 
past  to  be  well  aired  before  they  are  re-inhabit- 

On    Fridaj  E  October,     12   o'clock,   the 

following  add reW ~v  reed   to.     "   The  Board 

of  Health  have  the  satisfaction  to  announce  to 
their  fellow-citizens,  that,  in  their  opinion,  every 
reasonable  cause  of  danger  from  malignant  fever  has 
ceased,  and  that  they  may  return  to  iheir  respective 
homes  with  every  probability  of  perfect  safety.  The 
Board  recommend,  however, that  precautionary  mea- 
sures be  taken  to" ventilate  their  dwellings.  q 
DE  WITT  CLINTON,  Presides 

James  Ha r die,  See'ry." 

Upon  the  publication  of  the  above  address,  those 
of  our  fellow-citizens,  who  had  upon  the  approach  of 
the  disease,  fled  with  precipitation,  were  no  less  pre- 
cipitate in  their  return  to  their  respective  habitations, 
so  that,  in  those  parts  of  the  city,  where  even  at  th 
middle  of  the  day,  there  was  scarcely  any  thing  to  be     _ 
observed  but  a  dead  silence,  within  a  few  days  t her 
after,  the  hammer  of  the  mechanic  was  again  heard, 
and  all  that  life,activity  and  bustle,  which  is  common 
in  large  and  commercial  cities  was  again  renewed. 


CHAPTER  II. 

OF  THE  RISE,    PROGRESS,    AND  DECLINE  OF  THE  LATE 
EPIDEMIC. 

THE  origin,  rise,  progress  and  decline  of  {he  dis- 
;  ease  has,  already  been  pretty  fully  recited  in  the  pre- 
ceding chapter,  it  being  deemed  more  agreeably  to 
order,  that  the  narrative  of  the  steps  taken  by  the 
board  of  Health  to  prevent  the  introduction  of  malig- 
nant fever  should  be  continued,  so  as  to  include  the 
measures,  which  they  adopted  to  mitigate  its  fury. 
Upon  mentioning  the  first  causes,  which  occurred,  it, 
likewise,  became  necessary  to  communicate  the  opin- 
ions of  various  respectable  physicians,  concerning  the 
origin  and  nature  of  the  disease.  Any  thing  further 
necessary  to  be  said  upon  that  subject  may  be  found 
in  the  following  farewell  address  of  the  Board  : 

OFFICE  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  HEALTH. 

November  13,  1805. 

TO  THE  PUBLIC. 

On  the  termination  of  their  duties  of  the  late  ca- 
lamitous season,  the  Board  of  Health  consider  it  no 
more  than  a  becoming  mark  of  respect  to  their  fel- 
low-citizens, to  lay  t)efore  them  such  facts  as  may 
illustrate  the  extent  of  the  distress  that  has  so  re- 
cently interested  the  sensibility,  and  affected,  in  a 
greater  or  less  degree,  the  interests  of  all  descrip- 
tions of  the  community. 

It  is  a  subject  of  deep  regret,  that  a  collision  of 
opinion  exists,  not  only  with  respect  to  the  origin, 
but  also  in  relation  to  the  nature  of  the  malignant 
disease  commonly  denominated  the  yellow  fever.... 


101 

While,  on  the  one  hand,  it  is  contended  that  it  is 
imported  from  abroad,  and  that  it  is  propagated 
contagion,  it  is  on  the  other  hand  asserted  with  equal 
earnestness,  that  it  originates  at  home,  or  is  gene-  I 
rated  on  board  of  vessels,  which  arrive  amongst  us,  I 
and  that  it  is  entirely  non-contagious.     These 
cordant  opinions,  maintained  by  medical  gentlemen 
of  the  first  respectability  and  eminence,  and  which 
enter  deeply  into  the  passions  as  well  as  the  interests 
of  the  community,  must  necessarily  have  an  inau- 
spicious influence   upon  most  of  the  leading  mea- 
sures, either  of  the  prevention  or  remedy,  adopted 
by  the  guardians  of  the  public  health. 

The  partizans  of  the  opposite  theories,  aniens 
he  heat  of  debate,  and  impelled  by  their  differ- 
ent views  of  the  public  good,  will  naturally  approve 
or  censure  the  measures  proposed  to  avert  or 

this  overwhelming  calamity,  in  proportion  as 
they  corroborate  or  militate  against  their  favourite 
opinions.  Although  a  man  possessed  of  correct 
views,  will  proceed  in  the  direct  path  of  duty  with- 
out being  deterred  by  censure ;  still  it  cannot  be 
controverted,  that  the  support  and  approbation  of 
an  intelligent  public  must  animate  and  encourage 
his  exertions.  It  is  not  to  be  denied,  that  with  the 
most  upright  intentions,  and  with  the  most  firm  de- 
termination, to  maintain  an  impartial  official  posi- 
tion in  the  conflict  arising  from  these  theories,  yet 
that  our  conduct  may  sometimes,  insensibly  and  un- 
intentionally, notwithstanding  our  utmost  circum- 
spection, deviate  from  the  strict  line  of  impartiality*, 
That  the  inconveniences  here  stated  have  in  some 
measure  been  felt  and  observed,  is  highly  probable. 
But  we  are  happy  to  note  that  we  have  received  a 
candid  and  honourable  support  from  our  fellow  citi- 
zens in  general,  and  composed  as  the  Board  is  o{ 
persons  holding  different  tenets,  yet  that  our  pro- 
ceedings have  been  governed  by  a»spirit  of  harmony 
rarely  manifested  in  public  bodies. 


102 

The  importance  of  exploring  every  source  of 
correct  information,  and  the  expediency  of  dispas- 
sionate and  ample  deliberation,  before  an  official  de- 
claration of  the  prevalence  of  malignant  fever,  must 
be  obvious  to  all.  The  universal  alarm  excited  by 
th'e  existence  of  this  disease, the  serious  injury  to  the 
commercial  and  agricultural  interests  of  the  commu- 
nity, and  the  extreme  inconvenience  to  our  fellow 
citizens  in  particular,  render  it  necessary  that  the 
evil  should  absolutely  prevail  before  it  is  acknow- 
ledged. On  the  other  hand,  it  is  due  to  the  health 
as  well  as  the  security  of  the  lives  of  our  citizens,  to 
apprise  them  seasonably  of  the  calamity,  which  men- 
aces them.  Circumstanced  as  the  Board  were  at  the 
commencement  of  the  late  malignant  disease,  well 
aware  that  many  of  their  fellow  citizens  regarded 
the  few  cases,  which,  at  that  period,  had  occurred, 
merely  as  the  common  bilious  feverofthecountry;  sen- 
sible of  the  calamitous  consequences,  which  in  either 
case,  would  result,  of  announcing  the  prevalence  of 
the  fever,  if  it  really  did  not  exist;  or  or  not  avowing 
it,  if  it  did  5  anxious  to  unite  public  opinion  on  a 
question  so  deeply  interesting,  and  with  the  greatest 
deference  and  respect  to  the  opinion  of  the  medical 
gentlemen  their  associates,  who  early,  uniformly  and 
decidedly  declared  the  evidence  of  malignant  fever  and 
the  probability  and  danger  of  an  impending  pesti- 
lential epidemic,  the  Board  considered  it  their  duty 
to  avail  themselves  of  the  observations  and  intelli- 
gence of  professional  gentlemen  of  different  senti- 
ments. Measures  were  accordingly  adopted  to 
obtain  their  information  and  the  result  was  an  ad- 
mission on  all  sides  of  the  existence  of  malignant 
fever. 

Although  our  health  laws,  in  enforcing  internal 
cleanliness,  and  in  subjecting  vessels  entering  our 
ports  to  examination,  proceed  upon  the  ground  that 
the  disease  mayt>e  either  of  foreign  or  domestic 
origin,  yet  it  is  evident  they  recognize,  in  common 


I  OS 

with  the  health  laws  of  other  countries,  the  doctrine 
of  contagion.  Under  this-impression  the  Commis- 
sioners of  the  Health-Office  have  been  authorised, 
almost  since  their  first  establishment,  to  send  all 
persons  and  things  infected  by,  or  tainted  with  pes- 
tilential matter,  to  the  Marine  Hospital  at  Staten- 
Isla-nd.  By  an  act  of  last  session,  this  Board  was 
created,  and  the  Legislature,  sensible  that  the  exer- 
cise of  the  power  of  removal,  in  this  restricted  form 
would  be  in  some  cases,  extremely  inconvenient, 
and  in  others  highly  pernicious,  invested  the  Board 
with  authority  to  remove  either  to  the  Marine  Hos- 
pital or  elsewhere.  The  Board  and  the  Commissi- 
oners of  the  Health-Office  have,  consequently,  a 
concurrent  right  to  send  infected  persons  and  things 
to  the  Marine  Hospital,  and  the  Board,  moreover, 
have  an  exclusive  authority  to  remove  them  to  other 
places.  When  some  solitary  cases  occurred,  the 
I?oard,  with  a  view  to  arrest  the  progress  of  the  dis- 
ease, exercised  this  discretionary  power,  but  only 
with  the  consent  of  the  parties  concerned.  After- 
wards, however,  when  it  was  ascertained  that  the 
disease  was  too  firmly  rooted,  to  be  eradicated  by 
the  removal  of  the  sick,  the  Board  considered  it  ro 
be  their  duty  to  discontinue  the  application  of  a  re- 
medy, at  all  times  extremely  irksome  and  afflicting, 
and  which  perhaps  ought  only  to  be  resorted  to 
in  extreme  cases.  To  the  voluntary  removal  of  the 
healthy  from  the  infected  parts  of  the  city,  the  Board 
in  a  great  riegrarc,  ascribed  the, comparative  fewness 
of  deaths,  which  have  occurred.  In  the  expediency 
of  this  step  all  parties  concurred.  Whether  the  dis- 
ease was  communicated  by  the  principle  of  contagi- 
on, or  by  the  influence  of  an  impure  atmosphere,  the 
danger  was  equally  alarming,  and  it  was  equally  ex- 
pedient to  withdraw  from  it. 

From  the  commencement  to  the  final  extinction 
•f  the  late  prevailing  disease,  six  hundred  Cases  of 


Malignant  Fever  have  been  reported  to  the  Board. 
Two  hundred  arid  sixty  two  Deaths,  as  published  in 
the  daily  Bulletins,  including  those  that  happened 
since  their  discontinuance  nave  occurred.  Sixty 
four  patients,  moreover,  were  sent  to  the  Marine 
Hospital,  twenty  eight  of  whom  died  of  malignant 
fever.  The  total  number  of  patients  admitted  into 
Bellevue  Hospital  was  owe  hundred  and  seventy -five, 
one  hundred  and  forty-nine  of  which  were  cases  of 
malignant  fever,  and  twenty-six  of  other  diseases. 
The  total  number  of  deaths  at  the  Hospital  which 
were  included  in  the  bulletins,  was  sixty-nine, 
■-two  of  which  were  by  malignant  fever,  and 
the  remaining  seventeen  by  other  maladies.  The  ratio 
of  recoveries  from  malignant  fever  is  very  nearly  two 
thirds,  which  considering  that  a  very  large  propor- 
tion of  the  patients  were  received  in  the  last  stages 
of  disease,  and  many,  of  them  in  the  very  article  of 
death,  reflects  the  highest  credit  on  the  practice  of 
the  visiting  and  resident  physicians  cf  that  establish- 
ment. 

To  alleviate  as  far  as  possible  the  miseries  of  the 
indigent,  deprived  of  all  resource  for  their  daily  sup- 
port by  the  general  abandonment  of  the  city,  the 
doors  of  the  alms  house  were  opened  and  rations 
issued  to  sixteen  hundred  and  forty  families.  An 
asylum  was  erected  on  the  public  grounds  adjoining 
Bellevue  gate,  for  the  reception  of  such  poor  families 
as  the  Board  judged  it  expedient  to  remove  from 
the  seat  of  disease.  Every  accommodation  was 
afforded  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  persons,  men,  wo- 
men and  children,  who  were  maintained  by  the  pub- 
lic bounty.  Of  this  number  thirty  men  were  daily 
employed  in  improving  the  middle  road,  leading 
through  the  property  belonging  to  the  corporation, 
whose  wages  tended  to  lessen  the  expence  incurred 
by  the  support  of  their  families.  To  improve  the 
minds  of  the  children  in  the  asylum,  as  well  as  t& 


105 

preserve  order  and  prevent  them  from  becoming 
obnoxious  to  the  neighbourhood,  a  school  was 
opened,  which  afforded  instruction,  for  the  space  of 
six  weeks,  to  forty.  On  the  propriety  and  good  con- 
duct of  this  part  of  the  establishment,  the  Board  will 
long  reflect  with  grateful  complacency. 

These  various  objects,combined  with  the  augmen- 
tation of  the  city  watch,  necessarily  involved  the 
Board  in  an  expenditure  of  nearly twenty  free  thou- 
sand dollars,  to  which  it  is  confidently  trusted  their 
fellow  citizens  will  submit  with  that  magnanimity, 
which  has  so  peculiarly  characterized  them,  on  all  si- 
milar occasions.  Excepting  the  solitary  contributions 
from  Boston,  and  Richmond,  in  Virginia,  already 
acknowledged,  amounting  to  two  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars*  the  Board  have  received  no  eleemosynary  aid 
towards  the  public  exigences.  Voluntary  assistance 
not  being  proferred,  they  did  not  conceive  it  just  to 
call  on  their  fellow  citizens  individually — most  of 
whom  had  to  struggle  with  all  the  inconveniences 
and  losses  attending  removal  and  the  consequent 
derangement  of  the  regular  course  of  business. 

The  meetings  of  the  common  council  being  only 
weekly,  the  peculiar  situation  of  the  city,  from  its  ex- 
posure to  fire  and  robbery,  in  consequence  of  the  eva- 
cuation by  its  inhabitants,  rendered  it  expedient  to 
invest  the  Board  of  Health,whosemeetingswere  daily 
withasuperintending  and  controuling  power  over  the 
watchmen  and  firemen.  The  board  of  course  paid 
the  utmost  attention  to  these  departments,  and  it  is 
a  circumstance  of  peculiar  felicitation,  a  fact  highly 
honourable  to  the  character  of  our  city,  that  not  a. 

*  Of  the  sum  here  alluded  to,  two  hundred  dollars  were  transmitted 
from  Messieurs  James  and  J.  H.  Perkins,  of  Boston,  by  the  hands  of 
Messieurs  Grant  Forbes  and  Co.  of  this  city  ;  the  other  fifty  dollars  were 
received  from  a  gentleman  in  Richmond,  Virginia,  by  the  hands  of 
Messieurs  Bailey  and  Bogert. 


106 

single  fire,  burglary  or  robbery  of  any  consequence 
has  happened. 

To  the  fidelity  and  good  conduct  of  the  officers  of 
the  watch  and  watchmen  ;  to  the  care  and  precaution 
of  the  chief  engineer,  and  the  indefatigable  vigilance 
and  attention  of  the  special  justices  of  Police,  the 
Board  deem  it  their  duty  to  make  the  most  ample 
acknowledgments.  Nor  can  they  omit  to  mention, 
in  terms  of  the  highest  approbation,  the  unremitted 
attention  of  the  City  inspector  in  arranging  the  busi- 
ness and  executing  the  orders  of  the  Board,  in  all  its 
multifarious  details — of  the  superintendant  and  com- 
missioners of  the  Aims-House,  in  alleviating  the  dis- 
tress, and  administering  to  the  wants  of  the  poor  and 
afflicted — of  the  medical  gentlemen  attached  to  and 
employed  by  the  Board,  who  spared  no  exertions, 
and  who  shrunk  from  no  danger  in  the  discharge  of 
their  hazardous  duties— and  generally  of  the  officers 
of  the  city  and  persons  in  public  employment,  with 
whom  the  Board  had  official  connection,  with 
scarcely  a  single  exception. 

The  Board  will  on  a  future  occasion,  submit  to  the 
proper  authority,  such  measures,  as,  in  their  opinion, 
may  appear  necessary  to  be  adopted,  in  order  to  pre- 
vent as  far  as  human  means  extend,  a  recurrence  of 
the  calamity  recently  experienced.  In  the  mean 
time  they  earnestly  solicit  a  free  communication  of 
the  sentiments  of  their  fellow  citizens  on  this  inter- 
esting subject. 

The  Board  would  do  injustice  to  their  feelings,  did 
they  not,  on  this  occasion,  recommend  in  the  most 
earnest  manner,  the  destitute  widows  and  orphans 
of  the  deceased,  to  the  special  benevolence  and  pro- 
tection of  their  fellow  citizens.  Nor  can  they  omit, 
in  this  public  manner,  to  offer  up  the  incense  of  grate- 
ful hearts  to  the  Sovereign  Ruler  of  the  Universe,  in 


107 

whose  hands  are  the  issues  of  life  and  death,  for  the 
manifestation  of  his  divine  mercy  and  goodness,  in 
preserving  their  health  and  lives  amidst  surrounding 
scenes  of  disease  and  mortality. 

By  order,  and  in  behalf  of  the  Board. 

DE  WITT  CLINTON,  Pres. 
JAMES  HARDIE,Sec'ry. 


CHAPTER  III. 

AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  MARINE  AND  BELLEVUE  HOSPITALS, 
WITH  THE  NUMBER  OF  PATIENTS  RECEIVED,  AND  DEATHS 
WHICH  HAVE  OCCURRED,  AT  EACH  OF  THESE  ESTABLISH- 
MENTS, DURING  THE  SICKLY  SEASON.' 

THE  first  of  these  establishments,  the  Marine 
Hospital,  is  founded  on  the  eastern  pari:  of  Staten- 
Isiand,  on  the  banks  of  the  river  Hudson,  in  a  situa- 
tion as  airy  and  salubrious  as  any  that  can  well  be 
conceived,  and  having  a  charming  \  lew,  not  only  of 
the  city  of  New- York  and  the  Narrows,  but  also  of 
a  large  extent  of  the  Long-Island  shore.  Upon  the 
Hospital  being  opened  hero  in  the  year  1799>  as 
might  reasonably  be  expected,  at  the  commencement; 
of  so  important  an  institution,  much  remained  to  be 
done  for  the  comfort  and  convenience  of  those  for 
whose  benefit  it  was  intended.  Since  that  year,  how- 
ever, the  Commissioners  of  the  Health-Office  have 
been  annually  adding  greatly  to  its  improvements, 
though  more  has  been  done,  in  this  respect,  during 
the  last  two  years,  than  in  any  former  period  of  the 
same  length.  The  number  of  apartments,  which  were 
at  first,  very  limited,  is  now  such,  as  to  render  it  al- 
most certain,  that  they  will  be  found  amply  sufficient 
for  the  accommodation  of  any  number  of  patients 
which  may  offer, even  in  the  worst  of  seasons;  and 
these  are  so  arranged,  as  not  only  to  keep  the  dif- 
ferent sexes  ,  but  also  persons  of  different 
colour  and  si  ttions  of  life ;  to  which,  it  may  be  add- 
ed, that  a  particular  building  is  appr<  priated  for  the 
convalescents,  and  there  is  also  a  separate  room,  to 
which  the  dying  are  removed,  so  that  those  who  are 
sick,  may  not  be  alarmed  by  their  groans  and  shrieks. 
The  neatness  and  cleanliness  observed  in  this  estab- 
lishment, is  so  well  known,  as  to  require  no  eulogium. 


109 

On  the  17th  of  June,  the  Marine  Hospital  was  vi- 
sited by  the  Board  of  Health,  at  the  request  of  the 
Health-Officer,  when  the  following  testimony, of 
probation  was,  by  that  body,  entered  upon  thei  ■ 
nutes.     "  Upon  examining  the  Hospital  xevy  p 
cularly,  the  board  are  unanimously  of  opinion,  that 
the  Health-Officer  is  entitled  to  the  highest  degree 
of  credit,  for  the  humane  and  truly  excellent  arrange- 
ment which  he  has  made,  with  respect  to  that  insti- 
tution/' 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  Mrs.  Stay- 
ley,  the  widow,  and  Mr.  Herbert,  the  father-in-law, 
of  the  deceased  Andrew  Stayley,  which  was  publish- 
ed in  several  of  our  daily  papers,  will  shew  the  opi- 
nion which  they  entertained  of  the  treatment  of  the 
patients  at  this  Hospital. 

to  dr.  john  r.  b.  rodgers,  and  dr.  joseph  bayley, 

at  the  marine  hospital,  &taten-island. 
"  Gentlemen, 

"  In  the  case  of  Mr.  Andrew  Stayley,  who  wras 
sent  down  from  No.  92  Maiden-lane,  to  the  Marine 
Hospital,  on  the  23d  ult.  we,  the  widow  and  father-in- 
law  of  the  said  Mr.  Stayley,  have  every  reason,  not 
only  to  be  satisfied  with  your  conduct,  but  think  it  our 
duty,  in  this  public  manner,  to  return  you  our  most 
sincere  acknowledgments. 

"  Upon  the  arrival  of  the  deceased  at  the  hospital, 
you  sent  him  to  a  large,  air\r,  and  commodious  apart- 
ment, as  well  calculated  as  any  that  could  have  been 
devised,  for  the  accommodation  of  himself  and  family, 
and  you,  in  every  instance,  even  anticipated  his 
wants.  Your  siudy  was  to  make  him  and  those  con- 
nected with  him,  comfortable  and  happy ;  and  such, 
in  our  opinion,  was  your  skill  and  unceasing  exer- 
tions as  medical  gentlemen,  that  if  a  cure  had  been 


110 

practicable,  we  are  persuaded  it  would  have  been 
effected. 

"  Gentlemen,  your  politeness,  your  humanity  and 
attention,  not  only  to  us,  but  to  every  sick  person 
committed  to  your  care,  demands,  and  will  always  re- 
ceive the  thanks  of  those  concerned.     For  our  parts, 
words  are  wanting  to  express  our  gratitude,  but  vou 
shall  always  have  our  prayers  and  good  wishes,  &c.*&c. 
We  are,  &c. 
CATHARINE  STAYLEY. 
FELIX  HERBERT. 
New-York,  September  4,  1805." 

The  widow  of  the  late  Mr.  William  Fraser,  like- 
wise speaks  in  terms  of  the  highest  respect,  of  the 
treatment  received  at  this  Hospital ;  and  Mr.  Eustace 
Long  and  wife,  in  Rider-street,  Wm.  Bower  and  wife, 
245  Greenwich-street,  together  with  several  others, 
who  were  sent  down  there  sick  and  recovered,  have 
repeatedly  mentioned  to  me,  that  if  they  should  again 
be  in  similar  circumstances,  instead  of  requiring  per- 
suasion to  be  sent  to  the  Hospital,  they  would  re- 
quest it  as  one  of  the  greatest  favours. 

That  this  Hospital  is  chiefly  designed  for  sea-faring 
people,  is  obvious,  from  its  name ;  but  the  Commis- 
sioners of  the  Health-Office  and  the  Board  of  Health, 
have  a  concurrent  jurisdiction  to  send  thither,  all  per- 
sons and  things  within  the  city  of  New- York,  infected 
by  or  tainted  with  pestilential  matter,  which  they 
may  consider  as  dangerous  to  the  public  health;  and 
the"  Board  of  Health  have  also  the  further  power  to 
send  persons  and  things  of  the  above  description,  to 
such  place  of  safety  as  they  may  think  proper.  Be- 
ing thus  vested  with  this  authority,  it  has  heretofore 
been  usual,  upon  the  first  appearance  of  Malignant 
Fever,  to  cause  the  removal  of  the  infected  to  the  Ma- 
rine Hospital  5  but  as  soon  as  the  disease  becomes 


Ill 

prevalent,  the  Hospital  at  Bellevue  is  opened,  and 
such  citizens  infected  with  pestilence,  as  cannot  other- 
wise be  provided  for,  are  sent  to  the  latter  of  these 
establishments,  whilst  sick  seamen  of  every  descrip- 
tion are  sent  down  to  the  former. 

Daring  the  present  season,  viz.  between  the  18th 
of  July  and  28th  of  October,  sixty-four  patients  were 
sent  from  the  city  to  the  Marine  Hospital,  of  whom 
the  following  died  of  Malignant  Fever,  viz. 

July  18.  Christopher  Hibbron,  $2  Maiden-lane,  died 
July  22. 
30.  James  Dougherty,  Water-street,  July  30. 
Aug.  7.  Isabella  Adams,  corner  Chamber  and  Green- 
wich-streets, August  7- 
17.  Mrs.  Piifer,  102  Water-street,  Aug.  17. 
Ji  23.  Mr.  Andrew  Stayley,  92  Maiden-lane,  Au- 
gust 31. 
26.  Daniel  Young,  Washington  and  Duane- 

streets,  August  27. 
SO.  Joshua  Haines,  snow  Mehitable,  Aug.  31. 
Sept.  1.  Alfred  Preston,  Division-street,  Sept.  1. 

2.  William  Fraser,  L.  Chapel-street,  Sept.  2. 

3.  Samuel  Woodruff,  Moore-street,  Sept.  5. 
George  Pymer,  child,  Pine-street,  Sept.  7- 

5.  Jacob  Christopher,  brig  Columbia,  Sept.  11. 

6.  Charles  Everte,  Bear-market,  Sept.  11. 
John  Crowser,  from  the  Aims-House  gate, 

Sept.  10. 
Mat  hew  Burk,  Fly-market,  Sept.  12. 

7.  Richard  Thompson,  Front-street,  Sept.  8. 

8.  Charles  Diven,  Elm-street,  Sept.  8. 
Henry  Blackham,  Pearl-street,  Sept.  8. 
Mrs.  Beaman,  Wall-street,  Sept.  9- 
Richard  Hollidge,  sch.  Weymouth,  Sept.  18. 

10.  Jonathan  Campbell,  Pine-street,  Sept.  13. 
12.  John  Hardley,  ship  Flora,  Sept.  16. 
16.  John  Marino,  ship  Delaware,  Sept.  19- 
20.  James  Develin,  Pine  and  Front,  Sept.  24. 


US 

24.  Robert  Davis,  Pine-streef,  Sept.  25- 

25.  Charles  Crewel,  George-st.  wharf,  Sept.  26. 
27.   William  Behaut,  St.  James-street,Sept.  30. 

C     .  9-  WiiJiam  Logan,  Catharine-lane,  Oct.  11. 

Of  these,  8  died  on  the  day  of  arrival. 
7  on  the  day  thereafter. 

1  on  the  2d  day. 

2  on  the  3d  day. 
6  on  the  4th  day. 
2          on  the  6th  day. 

1  on  the  $th  day,  and 

1  on  the  10th  day. 

Having  thus  given  a  short  account  of  the  Marine 
Hospital  at  Stat  en-Island,  I  shall  now  proceed  to  give 
a  brief  statement  of  the  situation  of  the  Hospital  at 
Bellevue ;  but  as  this  establishment  was  daily  visited 
by  the  City-Inspector,  who,  at  the  close  of  the  sea- 
son, gave  in  a  report  of  his  observations  concerning 
that  institution,  I  am  persuaded,  it  would  be  impos- 
sible for  me  to  present  to  my  readers,  any  thing 
which  would  he  equally  satisfactory.  In  this  official 
communication,  he  not  only  states  the  condition  of 
that  institution,  during  the  present  season,  but,  like- 
wise, points  out  a  variety  of  objects,  which,  if  duly 
attended  to,  (and  the  Board  of  Health  will,  no  doubt, 
weigh  them  with  that  attention  which  the  importance 
of  the  subject  requires)  will  render  the  Hospital,  in 
all  probability,  still  more  useful,  if  it  should  please 
Divine  Providence,  at  any  future  period,  to  afflict  us 
with  Pestilential  or  Malignant  Fever. 

The  following  is  the  report  alluded  to  : — 

The  City-Inspector  has  the  honour  to  report, 
That  in  conformity  with  the  wishes  of  the  Board 
of  Health,  Bellevue  Hospital  was  finally  closed  on 


IIS 

Saturday,  the  28th  of  October.  From  its  opening 
on  the  9th  of  September  to  that  day,  the  number  of 
patients  admitted  amounted  to  175 

Of  whom  the  malignant  cases  were     149 
Other  diseases,  28 

175 

The  deaths,  which  occurred,  were  as  follows  : 

Of  malignant  fever,         ...  52 

typhus  fever, 3 

dysentery, 3 

diarrhoea, 3 

pneumonia, 1 

phtbysis  pulrnonalis,       .     .  1 
epilepsy,     ....           .3 

cholera  infantum,                  .  1 

diseases  unknown  2 

69 

Discharged  cured,        .     .     106 

Total,  175 

The  Physicians  of  the  Hospital  remark,  that  only 
one  person  died,  who  was  admitted  on  the  first  day 
of  disease.  Four  of  the  patients  were,  on  closing 
the  Hospital,  sent  to  the  City  Hospital,  cured  of 
fever,  but  convalescent  from  chronic  diseases. 

Of  the  extreme  cases  there  died 

within  24  hours  after  admission,      ....  5 

12  hours, 6 

6  hours, 3 

1  hour, 6 

10  minutes,       , 2 


22 
nearly  one-third  of  the  total  amount  of  deaths. 

p 


114 

The  ratio  of  cures  from  malignant  fever  to  deaths 
by  the  same  disorder  is  very  nearly  two-thirds.... 
which,  considering  that  most  of  the  patients  were 
sent  there  in  the  last  stage  of  disease  and  death,  re- 
flects the  highest  credit  on  the  practice  of  Doctors 
Walker  and  Winfield,  the  visiting  and  resident  Phy- 
sicians. 

Accompanying  this  Report  is  the  Return  of  the 
Physicians,  with  the  list  of  patients  admitted  into 
the  Hospital  during  the  present  season. ...likewise  a 
schedule  of  the  state  of  the  Hospital  for  the  year 
1803  ;  by  which  it  appears,  that  the  Hospital  on 
that  occasion  was  opened  on  the  !2th  day  of  Au- 
gust, and  closed  on  the  7th  of  November,  during 
which  period  were  admitted 

Of  malignant  fever  patients,     .     .     .      MO 
Of  various  other  diseases,     ....       21 


Total,  191 


The  deaths  which  occurred  were, 

Of  malignant  fever,        .     .     .  100 

phthysis  pulmonalis,       .     .  1 

diarhcea, 2 


103 
Discharged  cuied,      ....     88 


191 


Of  whom  were  sent  to  the  City 

Hospital, 3 

to  the  Alms-house,         .     10 

13 

On  the  7th  of  November,  when  the  Hospital  was 
closed. 

A  comparative  view  of  these  tables,  shews  that 
the   present   season,  although  nearly  one   month 


lis 

shorter,  has  been  proportionably  more  active,  and 
that  the  success  attending  the  practice  of  the  Hos- 
pital has  been  greater  this  season  than  the  former : 
as  the  number  of  deaths  in  1803  considerably  ex- 
ceeded one-half  of  the  cases,  and,  as  before  remark- 
ed, during  the  current  year,  amounted  only  to  about 
one-third. 

The  City  Inspector  wishes  it  to  be  understood, 
that  the  comparison  is  made  from  no  invidious  mo- 
tive, and  without  the  most  remote  idea  of  reflection 
on  the  former  services  at  the  Hospital,  but  solely 
for  the  satisfaction  of  the  Board,  and  to  furnish  data 
for  reflection  and  calculation,  whether  the  treat- 
ment of  this  awful  malady  is  not  better  understood, 
and  that  a  reasonable  hope  may  be  entertained,  that 
at  no  distant  day  it  will  be  divested  of  its  horrors, 
and  become  more  controulable  and  less  mortal,  by 
the  skill  and  experience  of  medical  professors. 

By  the  return  from  the  Marine  Hospital  it  ap- 
pears, that  from  the  18th  day  of  July  to  the  28th  of 
October,  the  number  of  patients  sent  from  this 
City,  amounted  to  64 

Of  whom  died  of  malignant  fever,         28 

Discharged  cured, 50 

Remained  of  chronic  complaints,     .       6 


Total,  G-l 

The  total  number  of  cases  reported  at  the  Office 
from  the  5th  of  September  to  the  2  5th  of  October 
inclusive,  amounted  to  COO 

The  total  number  of  deaths  which  occur- 
red in  this  City  and  at  Bellevue  Hospi- 
tal during  the  same  period,  as  published 
in  the  daily  bulletins,  was  ....  240 
To  which  are  to  be  added  the  deaths  that 
have  happened  since  the  reports  were 


116 

closed,  and  which  have  been  announced 
in  the  bills  of  mortality  amounting  to    13 

262 

Making  in  all,  262  deaths  of  malignant  fever. 

The  total  number  of  cases  reported  in    1803  ap. 
pears  tu  have  been  1639. 

The  deaths  by  malignant  fever,  which  occurred  the 
same  year,  amounted  to  606. 

Inclosing  his  official  report  for  the  present  season, 
the  City  Inspector  begs  leave  to  submit  a  few  remarks 
respecting  the  establishment  at  B^llevue — the  result 
of  ins  observation  and  experience. 

The  Buildings  called  Hospitals  erected  at  Bellevue 
appear  to  have  been  set  up  on  tie  spur  of  the  oc- 
casion, and  on  the  presumption  that  the  fever  would 
never  recur  again.  Fatal  experience  has  proved  other- 
wise, and  points  to  the  conviction,  that  we  may  ex- 
pect repeated  attacks  from  this  insidious  disease. 
The  wards,  the  one  appropriated  for  the  men  espe- 
cially, are  every  way  inadequate  to  the  wants  of  the 
patients  or  the  comfort  of  the  nurses  and  physicians. 
The  buiidingsare  on  too  contracted  a  scale — of  mat- 
erials too  slight  to  repeal  the  summer  heat  or  autum- 
nal cold.  Theeroi!  .teof  the  Hospital,  during 
the  last  season,  must  have  had  an  unfavourable  influ- 
ence on  the  spirits  of  the  patients.  Those  nev  ]y 
arrived  were  evidenth  depressed  by  the  surrounding 
scenes  of  maladv,  and  the  groans  and  shrieks  of  con- 
vulsed and  dying  subjects.  The  senses  were  evi- 
dently offended,  and  the  atmosphere  rendered  impure 
in  consequence  of  the  wards  heing  so  overcrouded. 
M'>re  extensive  accommodation  is  absolutely  neces- 
sarva-ainst  another  season  ;  which  it  is  confidently 
trusted  that  the  Board  will,  at  all  events,  provide, 


* 


117 

To  render  this  establishment  more  extensively  use- 
ful, and  to  relieve  such  persons  as  may  be  in  tin  urn- 
stances  to  pay  for  comfortable  accommodation,  a 
Pay  Hospital  with  suitable  distmct  apartments  might 
be  advantageously  erected .  The  difficulty  pf  pro- 
viding for  strangers  and  single  gentlemen,  1  ibouring 
under  malignant  fever,  in  private  families,  has  been 
sensibly  experienced — such  persons  are  competent 
and  willing  to  pay  Hbtrally  for  genteel  accommoda- 
tions, were  such  provided,  and  there  is  no  doubt 
that  such  a  branch  of  the  establishment,  if  not  -pro- 
ductive, would  at  least  not  become  burthenscme, 
and  would  be  highly  creditable  to  our  City. 

Perhaps  in  regarding  the  proposed  improvements 
at  Bellevue  Hospital,  it  might  be  of  moxnent  to  con- 
sider whether  a  change  of  the  establish  men  t  to  some 
other  ground,  appertaining  to  the  Corporation, 
would  not  be  eligible.  The  scite  of  Bellevue  might 
in  all  probability, be  sold  for  a  sum  adequate  to  very 
extensive  improvements.  The  accommodation  of 
poor  families  in  suitable  buildings,  is  a  part  of  the 
whole  establishment, which  will  also  deserve  the  con- 
templation of  the  Board,  and  it  is  submitted  whe- 
ther the  present  assylurh  ought  not  to  be  preserved 
until  more  permanent  buildings  can  be  provided' 

All  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

JOHN  PINTARD,  City-Inspector. 

New-York,   12th  Nov.  1305. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

RECORD  OF  DEATHS, 

By  Malignant  Fever,  which  have  occurred  in  the 
City  of  New- York,  at  the  Marine  Hospital,  or 
at  Bellevue,  during  the  Autumn  of  1805;  in 
which  is  likewise  included  the  names  of  sundry 
persons,  who,  having  caught  their  sickness  in  the 
City,  afterwards  died  in  the  country. 

|j3^  The  words  in  Italic,  after  the  name  of  any 
deceased  person,  denotes  the  country,  of  which  he 
or  she  was  respectively  a  native. 

Oct.  7.     Adams,  Henry,  cartman,  25  Garden,  Ire- 
land, 

Aug.  17.  Adams,    Isabella,    (a   black)   corner   of 
Greenwich  and  Chamber, 

Sept.  29.  Allen,  Elizabeth,  daughter   of  Mathias, 
75  Courtland,  aged  26,  New. Jersey, 

■ Arden,  Thomas,  S.  from  186  Pearl,  West- 
Chester, 

; 30.  Allen,  Mary,   196  Broadway,  aged   19, 

Ireland, 

29.  Allen,    Mathias,    75    Courtland,    New- 
Jersey, 

30.  Allen,  Samuel,  printer,  32  Lumber,  Eng- 
land, 

Oct.  1.     Allen,  Stephen,  mason,  S3  Provoost,  aged 
38,  New-York, 

Sep.  27.  Amerman,  Joseph  B.  11  Vande  water, 

Oct.  9.     Anderson,  Sarah,  Cliff, 

Sep.  19.  Baehr,  Lewis,  from  154  Wall,  Hammond, 

Oct.  16.  Baisely,  Margaret,  47  Gold, 

6.     Barr,  Hugh,  Broadway,  near  Union  Fur- 
nace, aged  25,  Ireland, 

Sep.  15.  Barry,  Peter,  from  26  Augustus,  Bellevue, 
aged  26,  Ireland, 


119 

Oct.  *11.  Bates,  Sally,  from  Thomas,  Bellevue, 
Sep.  18.  Bazen,    James,    34    Robinson,  aged  5$, 

France, 

— *28.  Bazen,  Rachel,  from  do  at  Bellevue, 

Oct.  5.     Beatty,  Thomas,    186  Cherry,   aged  22, 

Ireland, 
24.  Beekman,  Wm.  son  of  Dr.  John,  at  the 

Waliahout,  aged  1 1,  New-Fork, 
Sep.  9.     Mrs.   Beaman,  from  80  Wall,  at  Marine 

Hospital, 
17.     Benjamin,   Everard,  broker,  78  Broad, 

Connecticut, 
Oct.  6.     Bennet  Jacob,  13  Partition,  aged  25. 
« 8.     Bernard,   Joannes   Christian,   from    195 

Water,  at  Bellevue,  Holland. 
Sept.  3.     Behaut,  William,  from  St.  James-st.  Ma- 
rine Hospital, 

i f27.  Bingham,  John,  cartman,  33  Second. 

12.  Bininger,  Abm.jun.    20  Maiden-Lane, 

native. 
8.     Blackham,  Henry,  from  136  Pearl,  at  the 

Marine  Hospital. 
Oct.  27.  Boerum,  Sarah,  130  Fly-Market. 
Sept.  17.  Bolen,  Ann,  80  Read.' 

7.     Bolen  James,  5  Moore,  aged  24,  Newark. 

• 1.     Bowie  Mrs.  Ann,  55  Partition. 

10.  Bowie,  Miss  Flora,  near  State  Prison, 

Greenwich. 

22.  Bowers,    John,     Robinson,     corner    of 

Greenwich,  Baltimore. 

—  6.     Brannon,  John,  15  Augustus,  aged  35, 

Ireland. 
2.     Britton,  George,  1 5  BurMngsMp, England. 


*  Was  employed  in  nursing  a  sick  person  in  the  lower  end  of  Parti- 
tion-street. 

t  Attended  his  stan  J  as  a  cartman  at  the  Cofiee-Housej  till 
within  eight  days  of  his  being  taken  sick. 


120 

Sept.  14.  Brown,  Mr.  corner  Depeyster  and  Front*. 

■  13.  Brown,    Laac,   son   or  Saml.    coiner   of 

Greenwich  and  Robinson. 

Brown,  Isaac,  26  Read. 

i fio.  Brown,  Mrs.  Mary,  66 Roosevelt, 

. 12.  Brown,  Peter,    188  Pearl,  aged  28,  Scot- 

land. 

. 14.  Browning,  William,  white-smith  from  90 

Water,  Brannon,  aged  36,  England. 

* 11.  Browning,  Mrs.  Nancy,  wife  of  Win.  do. 

do.  aged  30 

11.  Burk,  Mathew,  from  Fly-Market,  at  Ma- 
rine Hospital. 

10.  Burling,  Jftsepb,  son  of  Thomas,of  White 

Plain  ;,  Vande water. 

. 25.  Byass,  Rebecca,  28  John,  aged  21,  New- 

Jersey. 

Oct.  J4.  Bru  ,     T       ':!,    Hester,    corner    of 

Fourth. 

Sept.  13.  Campbell,  Jonathan,  from  lower  end  of 
Pine,  at  the  Marine  Hospital. 

Oct.  2.    Cath<  art,  Allen,  7  Catharine-lane,  aged  37, 
Ireland.  i 

< 6.     Christie,  Elizabeth,  from  Dover,  at  Belle- 

vue,  aged  3!,  England. 

• 23.  Christie,  Mrs;  Sarah,  Front,  near  Crane- 
Wharf,  Scotland, 

Sept.  12.  Caywood,  Abigail,  129  Water ,  aged  17 
NeivYorJc. 

17.  Christopher,  J«cob,  brig  Columbia,  at  the 

Marine  Hospital 

• 28.  Church,  Julian,  15  Fa'r. 

25.  Coles,  Chide*  10  Little  George. 

Oct.  22.  Coles,  Sarah,  25  Water. 


f  This  person  had  not  been  out  of  her  house  for  eight  weeks 
previous  to  her  being  attacked  with  '^u  fever.  Her  case  was, 
notwithstanding,  reported  to  h^  deeded* 

\  Died  on  the  third  day  of  dbtaoe. 


121 


Oct.  28.  Collis  Maria,  63  Roosevelt,  aged  15. 

Collins,  Mrs.  wife  of  Isaac,  from  189,  Pearl, 

West-Chester. 

2.     Colver,  William,  from  72  Vesey,  Belle- 

vue. 
—  3.     Covet,  Mary,  86  St.  James',  aged  76. 
12.  Craig,  Mrs.  22  Garden,  aged  24,  Philadel. 


Sept.  28.  Crane,   Abner,   son  of  David,  aged  11, 

Greenwich,  near  Courtland. 
Oct.  26.  Crowel,  Charles,  from  George  st.  wharf, 

Marine  Hospital. 
Sept.  10.  Crowser,  John,   from   the  Aims-House 

gate,  Marine  Hospital. 

'8.     Crygier,  Corneliusjun.  18  Warren }native, 

28.  Culloden,  Mary,  wife  of  George,Chandler 

Baltimore,  from  6  Stone,  Bellevue. 
Oct.  5.     Cushing,  James,  from  7  Hague,  Bellevue. 

1.     Davis,  James,  23  Fletcher. 

Sept.  25.  Davis,  Robert,  from  Pine,  Marine  Hos- 
pital. 
24.  Develin,  James,  from  corner  of  Pine  and 

Front,  Marine  Hospital,  Ireland. 
Oct.  19.  Decker,  Elizabeth  Beedie,  19  Water. 
Sept.  26.  Deforest,  Theodorus,  jun.   13  Beekman- 

slip,  aged  19,  New-York. 
5.     Deforest,  Mrs.  Mary,   133  Water,  New- 

Fork. 
• -26.Degraw,  William,   apprentice    to    Wm. 

Rider,  13  Barclay,  aged  18,  Neio-York. 

■  8.     Dinah,  (a  black  woman)  38  Church. 

8.     Diver,  Charles,  from  Elm,  Marine  Hos- 
pital. 

8.     Dixon,  David,  merchant,  40  Wall. 

27.  Dixon,  John,   from  95  Pearl,  Bellevue, 

aged  23. 


19.  Dobbins,  Mrs.  Charlotte,  Water,  corner 

of  Beekman-slip,  Pennsylvania. 

July  30.  Dougherty,  James,  from  128  Water,  Ma- 
rine Hospital,  Ireland. 

Q 


122 

Sept.  28.  Doughty,  Morris,  63  E.  George.  Ireland. 

-14.  Doyle,  Michael,  from  Second,  Bellevue. 

26.  Drake,   Fanny,   wife    of   John,    Essex, 

aged  50. 

14.  Dufort,  Mrs.  Jane,  18  Fletcher. 

*24.  Dunn,  Mary,  3  Rider,  aged  38,  Ireland. 

Oct.  2.     Dwyre,  Anthony,  from  7  Hague,  Bellevue. 

Sept.  8.  Ellis,  Nancy,  near  the  new  church,  Bul- 
lock, native. 

■ 16.  Ellis,  William,  9  Dover. 

6.     Everte,  Chas.  from  Bear  Market,  Marine 

Hospital. 

Oct.f4.  Fanshaw,  Harriot,  daughter  of  Mrs.  Sarah, 
51  Cliff,  aged  10,  New-York. 

Sept.  28.  Feely  Michael,  from  Augustus,  at  Belle- 
vue. 

• ■  6.     Feeny,  Edward,  aged  25,  Ireland. 

29.  Fine,  James  Lefferts,  son  of  Jacobus,  1 17 

Fly-Market,  aged  1 8,  New-York. 

15.  Finney,   Catharine,   from    11    Augustus, 

Bellevue,  aged  26,  Ireland. 

16.  Finney,  John,    11    Mulberry,  aged  38, 

Ireland. 

■ 11.  Finnick,  Patrick,  25  Augustus,  aged  25, 

Ireland. 

21.  Fitzpatrick,  James,  152  Front,  aged  22, 

Ireland. 

Flanagan,   Christopher,    book  seller,  from 

151  Water,  West-Chester. 

16.  Fleming,  John,  from  Pingree's  Alley,  at 

Bellevue,  aged  21,  Ireland. 

- '27.  Fleron,  Andr'e,  144  Greenwich,  France. 

21.  Fogerty,  Eleanor,  306  Water,  Ireland. 

Oct.  5.     Foley,    Margaret,    7    Hague,    aged    28, 

Ireland. 

*  Was  employed  in  nursing  James  Develin,  corner  of  Pine 
and  Front  streets. 

t  Died  on  the  third  day  of  disease. 


12* 

Oct.  23.  Francis  Tracy,  6  Upper  Barley. 

16.  Fraser,  David,  son  of  Duncan,  8  Batavia 

Lane,  aged  1$,  Nezv-York. 
Sept.  2.     Fraser,  William,  house  carpenter,  from  3 

Chapel,  Marine  Hospital,  Scotland. 
30.  Fulton,  Alexander,  grocer,  corner  Nassau 

and  Ann,  aged  30,  Ireland. 
28.  Gall,  Patrick,  from  60  Beaver,  Bellevue, 

aged  60,  Ireland. 
30.  Gallaghan,  James,  from  5  Tryon  Row, 

Bellevue,  aged  24,  Ireland. 
■ 27.  Garcy,  George,  from  Pine,  near  Front, 

Bellevue. 
29.  Gathrey,  Andrew,  from  15  Rose,  Belle- 
vue, aged  31,  Ireland. 
Oct.  4.     Giggins,  Thomas,  from  5  Cedar,  Bellevue. 
1.     Gilchrist,  Archibald,  dyer,   174  William, 

aged  38,  Scotland. 
Sept.  21.  Gilchrist,  James,   30  Lumber,  aged  32, 

Scotla?id. 
Oct.  2.     Gollow,  Stephen  W.  51  Roosevelt. 

13.  Gomez,  Catharine,  77  Pine. 

Sept.  14.  Gordon,  Mrs.  98  Front,  aged70,Sco(land. 
Sept.  8.  '  Gowdy,  John,  64  Cedar,  aged  23,  Ireland. 
Oct.  10.  Graham,  Mrs.  Margaret,  21  Pump. 
Grice,  Margaret,Arundel,  corner  of  Hes- 
ter. 

* 8.     Griffith,  Robert,  41  Church. 

Sept.  28.  Habbermil,  Mary,  115  Greenwich,  aged 

17,  New-York. 
8.     Haddock,  Jan.es,  nearly  opposite  Albany 

Bason,  Greenwich. 
Aug.  31.  Haines,  Joshua,  Snow  Mehitabel,    from 

Havannah,  Marine  Hospital. 
Oct.  13.  Hamilton,  Catharine,  21  Rose,  aged  40. 

27.  Hallman,  Thomas,  Henry. 

— - — -  15.  Halsall,  James,    134  William,   aged  35, 

England. 
Sept.  16'.  Hardley,  John,  ship  Flora,  Gained  wharf, 

Marine  Hospital. 


124 

Sept.  28.  Hartman,  John,  taken  up  from  the  fields 
near  the  State  Prison,  15th  Sept.  Belle- 
vue,  aged  53,  Germany. 

19.  Harvey,  James,  from  90  Front,  Bellevue. 

Oct.  12.  Havemeyer,  Charles  L.  31  Pine,  Germany. 

Sept.  20.  Hazard,  Robinson,  86  St.  James',aged  26. 

Oct.  2.     Heroy,  Clarkson,  142  Harman. 

Sept.  14.  Herring,  Charles,  son  of  Abraham, 
Greenwich,  native. 

July  18.  Hibbron,  Christopher,  from  92  Maiden 
Lane,  at  the  Marine  Hospital. 

Sept.  29.  Hink,  Mary,  73  Broad,  aged  16,  New* 
Jersey. 

— —  7.     Hobart  Maria,  161  Fly-Market,  aged  9. 

— —  7.  Hodgkinson,  John,  Comedian,  from  the  Ton- 
tin  Coffee-House,  died  in  Washington, 
England- 
Oct.  10.  Hoffman,  Daniel,  from  3 12  Water,  Belle- 
vue, aged  32. 

*3.     Hogg,  Mary,  wife  of  John,  taylor,   24 

Beaver,  aged  25,  England. 

Sept. 18.  Hollidge,  Richard,  from  schooner  Wey- 
mouth, North  River,  at  the  Marine  Hospital. 

— • —  13.  Honesty,  Miss  Nancy,  from  near  Potter's 
Field,  at  Bellevue,  aged  39. 

f  26-  Howell,  Silas,  W.  at  Albany. 

Sept.  27.  Hoyr,  Lydia,  wife  of  Saml.  taylor,  from  82 
Liberty,  at  Bellevue. 

*  30.  Hunt,  Mrs.  Rachel,   wife  of  Dr.  Hunt, 

Greenwich,  near  Budd. 

%  14.  Hunter,  William,  and  Mary  his  wife,  58 

Front,  Ireland. 

*  Died  on  the  third. day  of  disease. 

f  Had  been  in  New-Yoik  a  few  days  before,  where  it  is  sup- 
posed by  some,  that  he  got  sick;  others  attribute  his  sickness 
and  de^ith,  as  well  as  that  of  Capt.  Lansing,  to  a  parcel  of  skins 
on  board  the  vessel,  which  are  said  to  have  emitted  a  very  offen- 
sive smell. 

|  Both  died  about  5  o'clock,  p.m.  1 4th  September,  within  a 
few  moments  of  each  other,  after  an  illness  of  four  days. 


l%5 

Oct.  22.  Huther,  George,  baker,  Lombard,  corner 
E.  George,  Germany. 

. 15.  Hutson,  John,  from  23  Fletcher,  at  Belie. 

vue,  aged  18,  England. 

Sept.  9.     Hyde,  Mrs.  wife  of  John,  Tontine  Cof- 
fee-House, Wall. 

14.  Hyde,  John,of  the  Tontine  CofTee-House, 

Rivington. 

15.  Jackson*    Hugh,    from    121    Water,    4 

Roosevelt,  Ireland. 

Oct.  4,     James,  William,  from  3  Dover,  at  Belle- 
vue. 

Sept.  28.  Jenkins,  Manuel,  18  Chesnut,  aged  SO. 

Oct.  3.     Innis,  Lawrance,  from  4  Dover,  at  Belle- 
vne. 

Sept.  13.  Johnson,  Dinah,    (a  black  woman)    29 
Chamber. 

8.     Johnson,  Paul  R.  printer,  46  Cedar,  aged 

24,  New-Jersey. 

17.  Johnson, Phcebe,  Leonard,  nearChapel. 

11.  Jones,  David,  son  of  John  F.  from  46  Di- 
vision, at  Bellevue,  aged  15,  Wales. 

Oct.  1.     Jones,  James,  son  of  Benjamin,  janitor  of 
Columbia  College,  aged  14. 

Sept.  10.  Jones,  John  R.   142  Chatham,  aged  22, 
Wales. 
4.  Jones,  John  F.  Water, 

11.  Jones,  Thomas,  1  Pine,  aged  46,  Wales. 

Oct.  2.     Irvin,    Sally,    corner    of    Courttand   and 
Washington,  aged  32,  New-Jersey. 

Sept.  30.  Israel,   Charles,    from   5    New   Slip,    at 
Bellevue. 

Sept.  2S.K'41y,Hugb,31  Augustus,  aged  SZjreland. 

Oct.  28.    Kennedy, Maria,  23  Old-slip,  aged  2  years, 
it.  1(5.  King,  John,  S6  Chamber.* 

24.  Kirkvvood,  James,  hostler,  from  92  Mai- 
den-lane, aged  27,  Scotland. f 

*  Mr.  King  had  been  at  work  at  the  New  Coffee-House. 

f  This  man  was  taken  sick  at  the  livery-stable  of  the  late  Mr.  Stay- 
ley,  and  sent  to  the  Marine  Hospital,  on  the  23d  Jaly,  from  whence  he 
returned  to  the  city  perfectly  recovered  on  the  1 9th  of  August,  and  re- 


126 

Sept.  29.  Kniffin,  Daniel,  70  John,  aged  20,  New- 
York. 

29-  Knowland,    William,  from   Pearl-street, 

Belle vue,  aged  27,  Ireland.^ 

26.  Lansing,  Abraham  D.  schooner  Mohawk, 

Albany.     See  Howell,  Silas  W. 

Oct.  5.  Lannuier,  Stanislaus,  60  Broad,  aged  24, 
France. 

4.  Latour,  Francis,  Greenwich,  corner  Ro- 

binson, aged  6,  New-London. 
Sept.  19.  Leuke,  Henry,  from  Cross-street,  at  Belle- 
vue. 

28.  Lightbody,  Isaac,  from  25  Barclay,at  Belle- 

vue,  aged  23. 

18.  Lively,  Dominic,  64  Front,  aged  35,  Ire- 

land. 

Oct.  20.  Lloyd,  Mrs.  Laight-street,  aged  45,  New- 
York. 

21.  Logan,  William,  from  Catharine-lane,  Ma- 
rine Hospital. 

9.  Lomagne,  Ann  Theresa,  3  Water-street. 

Sept.  20.  Long,  James,  Bayard. 

28.  Lnddington,  Henry,  Washington,  near  the 

Bear-market. 

29.  M'Andre,  Patrick,  Cross,  aged  33,  Ire- 
laud. 

Oct.  7.  M'Dermot,  George,  from  51  Pearl,  at 
Bellevue,  aged  43,  Ireland. 

Sept.  28.  M'Dewitt,  James,  18  Pearl,  aged  4  1-2, 
years. 

Oct.   12.  M'Dewitt,  John,  do.  aged  40,  Ireland. 


commenced  his  employment  as  an  hostler.  About  the  18th  of  Septem- 
ber, he  had  gone  toaNewark  with  a  carriage,  where,  finding  himself  sick 
on  the  morning  of  the  23d, he  caused  himself  to  be  conveyed  to  the  door 
of  the  office,  where  he  requested  to  be  sent  to  the  Marine  Hospital. 
There  was,  however,  at  this  time,  no  boat ;  and  as  he  had  no  lodgings 
in  town,  to  which  lie  could  retire,  he  was  conducted  to  the  Bellevue  Hos- 
pital, where  he  died  next  day  of  black  vomit. 

f  This  man  had  crawled  from  his  lodgings  to  the  office  door,  on  the 
morning  of  the  16th  Sept.  from  whence  he  was  carried  to  Bellevue. 


127 

Sept.  27.  M'Donald,  Jane,  daughter  of  Duncan,  45 
Nassau,  New-York. 

Oct.  2.  M'Graw,  Robert,  23  Mulberry,  aged  24, 
Ireland. 

Sept.  3.  MTntosh,  Angus,  8  Batavia-lane,  Scot- 
land. 

Oct.  12.  M'Maaus,  Michael,  62  Cedar,  aged  35, 
Ireland. 

Mabee,  James,  S3  Ann-street. 

Mackaness,  Thomas  Thornton,    son  of 

Thomas  Mackaness,  Esq.  of  Windsor- 
"Hill,  Greenwich. 

8.  Mackay,  John,  8  Ferry-street. 

Sept.  29.  Maden,  Hugh,  opposite  the  Catholic  bury- 

ing-ground,  Bowery,  aged  28,  Ireland. 
*28.  Malice,  James,  from  33  Ann-street,  at 

Bellevue,  aged  42,  Scotland. 
— —  27.  Managhan,   Edward,   grocer,  from    \5% 

Front-street,  at  333  Broadway,  aged  35 , 

Ireland. 
—  Managhan,  Charles,  brother  of  do.  from 

152  Front-street,  at  Esopus. 
Sept.  16.  Marino,  John,  ship  Delaware,  Rector-st. 

wharf,  Marine  Hospital. 
30.  Marsh,  Ephraim,  12  Rector,  aged  24,  N. 

Jersey. 

8.  Martin,  Mrs.   Bedford-st.  near  State-Pri- 

son, England. 

-  19.  Maxwell,  John,  Crosby. 

Oct.  13.  Miles,  Ann,  20  Broadway,  aged  18,  New- 
York. 

Sept.    9.  Miller,  Mrs.  William  G.  41  Nassau. 

■  18.  Miller,  Miss  Maria,  from  Front-street,  at 

Greenwich,  above  Tyler's. 

25.  Mills,  Jane,  55  Henry,  aged  26,  Ireland. 

26.  Mills,  Mary  Ann,  33  Ann,  aged  12,  New- 
York. 


*  On  the  SCthof  September,  this  man  was  sent  to  Bellevue,  his  wife 
accompanying  him  as  a  nurse. 


12$ 

Oct.     2.  Mills,  Martha,  50  Stone. 

* 23.  Mitchell,  Lewis,  35  Read. 

9.    Murdock,  Mrs.  Jane,  28  Water,  aged  365 

Ireland. 
. 16.  Murphy,  Benjamin,  from  78  Chatham,  at 

Believue,  aged  24,  Ireland. 

-  5.  Murphy,  John,  4  Swartout's-Bason,  aged 

30,  Ireland. 

3.  Murray,  Andrew,  from  100  William-st. 

Believue. 
1.  Murray,  Mary,  wife  of  do.  from  do.      do. 

3.  Myers,  Maria,  daughter  of  Lewis,  24  Wil- 

liam-street, aged  93  Philadelphia. 
Sept.  27.*Needham,  John,   cartman,    103  Henry, 

aged  32,  England. 
16.  Newkirk,  Gysbert,  news-carrier,  19  Rose, 

aged  60,  Germany. 

15.  Nichols,  Lewis,  printer,  308  Broadway, 

native. 

24.  Nicholas,  ,  from  86  Maiden-lane, 

Believue. 

8.  O'Brian,  John,  Cross- street,  aged  28,  Ire* 

land. 
Oct.   15.  Otis,  Eleanor,  36  Lower  Robinson. 
Sept.  28.  Parks,  Thomas,  from  90  Front-street,  on 

Long-Island,  aged  38,  Ireland. 

5.  Pelsue,  John,  4  Church,  aged  17,  N.  Fork. 

Aug.  17,  Pfifer,  Mrs.  from  102  Water-street,  Ma- 
rine Hospital. 

Sept.  16.  Phyfe,  John,  80  Wall,  aged  28,  Scotland. 

-  1.  Preston,  Alfred,  from  upper  end  Division, 

at  Marine  Hospital,  native. 
Oct.     6.  Price,  Margaret,  Arundel,  corner  of  Hes- 
ter, aged  25,  Wales. 

3.  Prior,  Rachel,  59  St.  James,  aged  4. 


*  This  man  attended  as  a  cartman,  at  the  store  of  Post  and  Russel, 
corner  of  South  and  Pine-streets,  till  the  21st  of  September,  the  day  oa 
which  he  sickened. 


12? 

Sept.  g£.  Purcell,  Dominick,  from  8  Orange,  Belle  - 
vue,  Ireland. 

7.  Pymer,  George,  son  of  David,  from  76 

Pine,  Marine  Hospital,  aged  4. 
Oct.    11.  Rapp,  Oras,  151  Fly-market,  aged  12. 

27.  La  Ravine,  Dr.  Stephen  Jean  Henry  Bap- 

tiste,  144  Greenwich-street,  France. 

12.  Reynolds,  Thomas,  4  mile  stone,  aged  50. 

Ireland. 
Sept.  14    Richards,  Stephen,  taylor,  5  Read-street. 

27.  Richardson,  Horatio,  from  156  Front,  at 

Bellevue,  aged  23,  Boston. 

■  29.  Rider,  William,  turner,  13  Barclay,  n alive, 

Oct.     1-   Ritcher,  Andrew,  from  near  Bunker's-hiil, 

at  Bellevue,  aged  36,  Germany. 
Sept.  26.  Robinson,  Harriot,  86  James-street,  aged 

19,  New-York. 
— —  15.  Rodermond,  John,  tavern-keeper,  5  Pine, 

aged  40,  Germany. 
Oct.  31.  Rose,  Ann,  daughter  of  John,  1 13  Liberty. 
Sept.  14.  Rumsey,  Thomas  E.  merchant,  from  1S2 

Pearl,  Greenwich. 
Oct.     2.  Russel,  Jacob,  104  Greenwich,  aged  8. 
Sept.  11.  Saltonstall,  Miss  Hannah,  from  86  Pearl, 
Greenwich. 

15.  Schultz,   Henry  G.  from  Water,  at  52 

Cherry,  Germany. 
Oct.  28.  Sells,  Mary,  22  Mulberry. 
Sept.  24.  Sharp,  Grace,  17  Thoma's,  aged  35,  Nezc- 
^  Fork. 

30.  Simpson,  Mary,  from  23  Cedar,  Bellevue. 

« Singer,  James,   from    Greenwich-street, 

Bellevue. 

11-  Skillinger,  Sarah,  (of  Philadelphia)  from  95 

Courtlandt,  at  Bellevue. 
Oct.  20.  Sloan,  Arthur,  from  64  Front,  at  Bellevue, 

aged  25,  Ireland. 
Sept.  20.  Smith,  Caleb,  merchant,  from  15  Market, 
field;,  comer  Fourth  and  Delaiy 


130 

Oct.   10.  Smith,  Deborah,  47  Gold-street,  native. 

Sept.  17.  Smith,  James,  Orchard,  corner  of  Grand, 
aged  63,  Neiv-York. 

Oct.  5.  Smith,  James  I  Iarvey,apprentice  to  James 
Carr,  Elizabeth,  aged  1?,  Long-Island. 

Sept.  8.  Smith,  Paschal  N.  President  of  the  Colum- 
bian Insurance  Compair    atHarsenville. 

16.  Smith,  Rachel,  Depeyste    street,  aged  27, 

New-Jersey. 

17-  Smith,  William,  from  100  Water,  Bellevue, 

aged  21,  Ireland. 

24.  Smithen,  John,  277  Water,  aged  16,  Ha- 
lifax. 

i 27.  Snyder,  Elizabeth,  45  Nassau,  aged  32, 

New- York. 

Sept.    4.  Snythen,  Daniel,  70  John. 

4#  Spi image,  Daniel,  shoemaker,  122  Water, 

New-Jersey. 

, — . „  Stanley,  Margaret,  Charlotte. 

Aug.  31.  St  ay  ley.  Andrew,  from  92  Maiden-lane, 
Marine  Hospital,  England. 

Sept.  19.  Stewart,  Mr.  a  ship  steward,  88  Water-st. 

Nov .     1 .  Stock  well,  Abel, cooper,  1 2  Fle\cher,nalive. 

Sept.  19.  Sweeny,  Nancy,  from  29  George,  Belle- 
vue, aged  21. 

10.  Sykes,  John,  grocer,  69  Catharine,  native. 

Oct.     6.  Tabcie,  Mrs.  32  Nassau. 

3#  Tabeie,  Richard,  merchant,  52  do.  New* 

York. 

Sept.  1 1 .  Taylor,  John,  46  Cedar,  aged  35, England. 

Oct.  3.  Ten  Eyck,  Elizabeth,  37  Beaver,  aged  60, 
New-Jersey. 

Sept.  26.  Thomas,  David,  193  Water,  aged  26, 
Wales. 

1 9.  Thomas,  John,  cartman,  46  Chapel. 

Oct.  29.  Thome,  Fanny,  170  Division,  aged  16, 
New-Jersey. 

Nov.     1.  Thornton,  Samuel,  28  Water. 

Sept.  29.  Tice,  Catharine,  from  70  John,  Bellevue, 
aged  26. 


131 

Oct.     8.  Tiebout,  Miss,  daughter  of  Mrs.  Sarah,  358 

Pearl,  native. 
Sept.  14.  Tracy,  Alexander,  from  153  Water,  Belle- 

vue,  aged  14. 
Oct.   15.  Turner,  Sarah,  63  William,  aged  50. 
Sept.  20.   Underwood,  John,  butcher,  Elizabeth. 
Oct.     1.  Vail,  Joseph,  54  E.  George,  aged  38,  E. 

Chester. 
Sept.  27-  Valence,  John,  First. 

27.  Van  Gelder,  Phoebe,  42  William,  native. 

30.  Van  Home,  Philip,  apprentice  to  Hiram 

Gardner,  91  Broadway. 
15.  Van  rJ%tls,  Joshua,  cartman,  2  Leonard, 

aged  35y  native. 
Oct.     2.  Van  Rantz,  Peter,  33  Oak,  aged  ]  3,  Long- 

/stand. 
•    4.  Van  Steenburgh,  Samuel,  35  Cedar,  aged 

66,  Nezv-York. 
Sept.  17.  Van  Wart,  John,  N.  Catharine,  aged  25, 

native. 
Oct.     2.  Voisin,  Miss  Rosillana,  daughter  of  Ma- 
dame Voisin,  146  William,  aged  11,  iV. 

York. 

7-  Wade,  Elizabeth,  Catharine,  aged  9. 

Wainwright,  Francis,  druggist,  from  152 

Pearl-street,  at  Newtown,  Long-Island. 
Oct.     1.  Wallace,  Mary  Macomb,  95  Greenwich, 

aged  10,  Iretand. 
Sept.  14.  Walker,  Mrs.  Alice,  132  Front,  IVigau  in 

Lancashire,  England. 
Oct.   10.  Walsh,  Arthur,  64  Front,  aged  5  years, 

Ireland. 
6.  Walsh,  Patrick,  from  54  Pearl,  at  Bellevue, 

aged  46,  Ireland. 

27.  Walsh,  Patrick,  aged  25,  Ireland, 

Sept.  28.  Walsh,  John,  Hester,  aged  36,  Irelaud. 
Oct.   12.  Webb,  Thomas,  from  Orange,  Bellevne, 
Sept.  26.  Webster,  John,  156  Front,  aged  27,  M&« 

sachus'ells. 


1S2 


Aug 


Whelan,  Eliza,  4  Dover,  aged  23,  Ireland. 
White,  Jane,  £6  Beaver,  aged  26,    do. 
White,  John,  from  Coenties-slip,  Bellevue. 
Wilder,  Jonas,  24  Charlotte-st.  aged  35, 

England. 
Wiggmton,  Seth  B.  of  the  house  of  Richard 

S;  Hackley  &  Co.  128  Broadway. 
Williams,  Henry, from  72  Front,  Bellevue. 
Windle,  Thomas,  56  Lombard. 
Wilson,   Alexander,   from   lOo   William, 
Bellevue. 
5.  Woodruff,  William,  from  Moore,  Marine 

Hospital. 
11.  Wright,  Susannah,  from  Water,  corner  of 

Lombard  and  Catharine. 
15.  Young,  William,  from  102  Water,  Budd. 
27,  Young,  Daniel,  from  corner  Washington 
and  Duane,  at  Marine  Hospital,  Scot* 
land. 
Sept.  28,  Zellers,  George,  little  George,  aged  20, 
New-York. 

A  TABLE, 

EXHIBITING  AT  ONE  VIEW,  THE  NUMBER  OF  DEATHS  BY  MA-, 
LIGNANT  FEVER,  WHICH  OCCURRhD  IN  EACH  PARTICULAR 
STREET,  AS  ALSO  AT  BELLEVUE  AND  THE  MARINE  HOS- 
PITAL. 

Ann 

Anthony 

Arundel 

Augustus 

Barclay 

Barl«y 

Batavia-lane 

Bayard -street 

Beaver 

Bedford 

Beekmanslip 


2 

Brought  over 

19 

1 

Bellevue 

52 

1 

Bloomingdale 

1 

3 

Brannon-street 

2 

2 

Br  ad 

2 

1 

Broadway 

7 

2 

B  vvery 

1 

1 

Budd 

I 

3 

Bullock 

1 

1 

Burling-slip 

1 

2 

Catharine-lane 

1 

Catharine-street 

3 

19 


91 


153 


Brought  orer       91 

Cedar  5 

Chamber  2 

Chapel  1 

Chatham  1 

Charlotte  2 

Cherry  3 

Chesnut  1 

Church  4 

Cliff  2 

Courtlandt  3 

Crane-wharf  1 

Crosby-street  1 

Cross  3 

Depeyster  2 

Division  2 

Dover  2 

East  George  2 

Elizabeth  3 

Essex  1 

Fair  1 

Ferry  1 

First  1 

Fletcher  2 

Fly-market  3 

Fourth  1 

Frankfort  i 

Front  1 1 

Garden  2 

George  2 

Gold  2 

Greenwich  5 

Greenwich-street  9 

Hague  2 

Hammond  1 

Harm  an  1 

Harsenville  1 

178  i 


Brought  over 
Henry 
Hester 
James 
John 
Laight 
Leonard 
Liberty 
Lombard 
Lumber 
Maiden-lane 
Marine  Hospital 
Moore-street 
Mulberry 
Nassau 
Oak 
Old-slip 
Orange-street 
Orchard 
Partition 
Pearl 
Pine 
Provoost 
Pump 
Read 
Rector 
Rivington 
Robinson 
Rose 
Roosevelt 
Ryder 
Second 
Stone 

Swartwout's  Bason 
Thomas 
Vandewater 
Wall 


2 

2 
4 
3 
I 
o 

I 

3 
S 

2 

28 

J 

2 

6 
l 

l 

1 
i 

2 
6 
5 
1 
1 
4 
1 
1 
4 
2 
$ 
i 
1 
1 
1 
1 
2 
2 

281 


134 


Brought  over 

281 

Brought  over 

295 

Warren 

2 

Washington 

1 

Water 

12 

William 

6 

295 


302 


If.  to  the  above,  we  add  40,  who,  it  is  probable, 
caught  the  disorder  in  the  city,  and  afterwards  died 
in  various  parts  of  the  country,  the  number  will 
amount  to  342,  which  is,  perhaps,  pretty  near  the 
truth. 

Although  it  is  expected  that  the  preceding  table 
will,  in  general,  be  deemed  interesting,  it  is  believed 
that  a  list  exhibiting  the  number  of  cases,  which  have 
occurred  in  each  particular  street,  will  be  found,  at 
least,  fully  as  satisfactory.  A  table  of  the  former 
kind,  only  informs  us  of  the  particular  spots  at  which 
different  degrees  of  mortality  prevailed ;  in  particu- 
lar, it  mentions  the  deaths  of  fifty-two  persons  at 
Bellevue,  twenty-eight  at  the  Marine  Hospital,  two 
in  Brannon-street,  one  in  Rivington-street,  &c.  where- 
as it  is  notorious,  that  no  one  of  these  sickened  in 
either  of  these  places.  Again,  when  we  are  told  of- 
ficially, that  one  hundred  and  seventy-six  persons 
were  sent  to  Bellevue,  and  sixty-four  to  the  Marine 
Hospital,  although  it  justly  affords  a  very  exalted 
opinion  of  the  importance  of  these  valuable  institu- 
tions, it  does  not  convey  to  the  mind,  a  single  idea  of 
the  precise  part  of  the  city  in  which  the  disease  was 
most  predominant.  To  enable  the  reader  to  judge 
for  himself  upon  this  subject,  the  following  is  sub- 
mitted. 


A  TABLE* 

EXHIBITING  THE  NUMBER  OF  CASES  OF  MALIGNANT   FEVER, 
WHICH  HAVE   OCCURRED  IN  EACH  PARTICULAR  STREET  OF 


Ann 

Anthony 

Arundel 

Augustus 

Bancker 

Barclay 

Barley 

Batavia-lane 

Bayard-street 

Beaver 

Beaver-lane 

Bedford-street 

Bed  low 

Bee  km  an 

Bloomini>dale 

o 

Brannon-street 

Bridewell 

Broad -street 

Broadway 

Bowery 

Budd-street 

Bullock 

Burling-slip 

Catharine-lane 

Catharine-street 

Cedar 

Chamber 

Chapel 


2 

Brought  over 

1<2S 

10 

Chatham 

2 

1 

Chatham-square 

2 

13 

Charlotte-street 

6 

S 

Cheapside 

4 

6 

Cherry 

5 

4 

Chesnut 

2 

3 

Church 

7 

1 

Cliff 

4 

5 

Corlaer's-hcok 

8 

9 

Courtlandt-street 

6 

1 

Crane-wharf 

1 

4 

Crosby-street 

1 

2 

Cross 

S 

A 

Delancey 

J 

ct 

o 

Depeyster 

30 

1 

Division 

9 

IS 

Dover 

9 

17 

Duane 

1 

4 

Dutch 

l 

2 

East  George 

8 

1 

Elizabeth 

5 

1 

Elm 

3 

1 

Essex 

2 

4 

Fair 

4 

7 

Fayette 

1 

7 

Ferry 

1 

6 

First 

3 

128 


245 


*  It  is  necessary  to  observe,  that  in  this  Table,  the  streets  mentioned, 
are  those  in  which  persons  were  taken  sick,  not  those  to  which  they 
were  removed.  It  may,  likewise  be  mentioned,  that  of  the  cases  which 
occurred  in  Water- street,  Front-street,  Pearl-street,  &c.  at  least  riw- 
sixths  were  between  Burling  and  Old-slips. 


136 


Brought  over  245 

Fletcher  4 

Fly-market  1 1 

Fourth-sreet  2 

Frankfort  3 

George  6 

Gold  7 

Gouverneur  1 

Greenwich  (village)  5 

Greenwich- street  26 

Hague  6 

Hammond  1 

Hannan  7 

Harrison  2 

Harsenville  1 

Henry  10 

Hester  5 

Hudson  2 

Jay  1 

James  1  2 

Jew  Valley  2 

John-street  4 

Laight  1 

Leonard  2 

Liberty  4 

Little  Water  2 

Lombard  5 

Lumber  5 

Maiden-lane  7 

Magazine-street  1 

Mary  1 

Moore  8 

MooreVBuildings  l 
Moore-street  (North)    5 

Mott  ■  7 

Mulberry  1 1 

Murray  2 

425 


Brought  over  525 

Nassau  $ 

New  1 

New-slip  2 

Norfolk-street  2 

Oak  2 

Old-slip  1 

Orange-street  5 

Orchard  1 

Partition  3 

Pearl  26 

Pell  1 

Pine  14 

Pingree's-alley  3 
Potter's-field,vicinity  of  I 

Pro  voost-s  tree  t  2 

Pump  6 

Read  10 

Rector  2 

Rider  3 

1 
6 


Rivington 

Robinson 

Roosevelt 

Rose 

Rutgers 

Second 

Sixth 

Skinner 

South 

Spring 

Stanton 

State 

Stone 


6 
7 
5 
8 
I 
2 
I 
3 
I 
I 
3 


Stuyvesant's  ground  I 

Swartwout's  Bason  I 

Thames-street  2 

Third  2 

564 


137 


Brought  over 

564 

Brought  over 

£82 

Thomas 

2 

Warren 

2 

Tryou-row 

I 

Washington 

5 

Vande  water- street 

4 

Wate  r 

40 

Vesey 

3 

Whitehall 

3 

Vestry 

1 

William 

14 

Wall 

7 



5b2 


645 


Upon  comparing  the  foregoing  tables  with  the  of- 
ficial report  of  the  City  Inspector,  contained  in  the 
preceding  pages,  it  may,  at  first  sight,  appear  that 
there  some  is  difference.  If,  however,  it  be  considered, 
that,  in  that  gentleman's  report,  the  twenty-eight 
persons  who  died  of  Malignant  Fever,  at  the  Marine 
Hospital,  are  not  included,  nor  several  others,  who 
fell  victims  to  the  same  disease,  previous  to  the  daily 
meeting  of  the  Board  of  Health  ;  the  statements  will 
be  found  to  be  almost,  if  not  altogether  the  same.  A 
similar  remark  wiil  be  found  equally  correct  with  re- 
spect to  the  number  of  cases. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  OPINION  OF  SEVERAL  EMINENT  PHYSICIANS,  RESPECTING 
THE  CAUSE  OF  MALIGNANT  FEVER,  IN  SEVERAL  DIFFERENT 
PARTS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

The  firs!  of  these  is  from  Dr.  Pardon  Bowen,  a  celebrated 
Physician  of  Providence,  Rhode-Island, 


TO  MR.  JAMES  HARDIE. 


ff  Sir, 


cf  YOUR  letter  of  the  3d  instant,  written  by  the 
direction  of  the  Board  of  Health  of  the  city  of  New- 
York,  requesting  information  of  the  origin  and  nature 
of  the  Malignant  Fever,  which  then  prevailed  here, 
and  a  retrospective  view  of  the  fever  in  former  years, 
came  to  hand  while  ]  was  in  the  country,  in  a  state 
of  convalescence,  from  a  fever  taken,  I  presume,  by 
constant  attendance  upon  patients  labouring  under 
the  fever,  before  their  removal ;  and  I  have  been  com- 
pelled since  my  return  to  town,  by  the  pressure  of 
business,  and  the  time  necessarily  taken  to  procure 
correct  information,  to  defer  my  answer  till  the  pre- 
sent time,  as  most  of  the  persons,  from  whom  the  in- 
formation was  to  be  derived,  were  scattered  about  the 
country ;  and  I  hope  the  Beard  of  Health  will  not 
impute  the  delay  to  neglect*  or  want  of  respect. 

"  I  will  now,  without  further  preface,  endeavour 
to  give  you  as  correct  a  statement  of  the  fever,  as  the 
most  careful  investigation  will  admit,  and  I  hope, 
with  the  candour  the  importance  of  the  subject  de- 
mands. 

<:  And  first,  with  respect  to  the  origin  of  the  fever. 
In  order  to  investigate  this  point,  it  will  be  necessary 


139 

to   take  into   consideration   the  following  circum- 
stances, viz. 

u  In  the  first  place,  the  general  state  of  the  health 
of  the  town,  and  especially,  of  that  part  where  the 
fever  prevailed. 

"  2dly.  The  condition  of  the  houses,  wharves, 
docks,  stores,  &c.  in  the  vicinity  of  the  fever ;  and, 

rc  Sdly.  The  connection  this  district  had  with  the 
shipping. 

•    "  With  respect  to  the  first  circumstance,  the  health 
of  the  town,  &c. 

u  At  the  time  the  fever  made  its  appearance,  and 
for  a  long  time  before,  the  town  in  general  was  re- 
markably healthy ;  and  this  was  the  case,  more  espe- 
cially, with  that  part  of  the  town,  which  was  the  seat 
of  the  disorder,  immediately7  preceding  its  origin.  For 
several  years  past,  the  town  has  been  exempt  from 
any  remarkable  epidemic  catarrhal  affection,  angina, 
or  other  complaints,  by  many  deemed  the  precursors 
of  Yellow  Fever. 

"  2dly.  Respecting  the  condition  of  the  houses, 
wharves,  docks,  stores,  &c.  comprising  the  seat  of  the 
lever. 

"  On  the  most  careful  scrutiny,  it  appeared  that 
this  district  was  remarkably  clean  and  tree  from  filth. 
There  were  no  offensive  gutters,  nor  accumulation  of 
putrid  animal  or  vegetable  substances,  to  be  found  in 
or  near  it.  The  houses  were  detached  from 
other,  generally;  and  in  the  occupancy  of  families, 
who  might  vie  with  any  equal  number,  in  point  of 
cleanliness,  in  any  part  of  the  town.  The  wharves 
s,ttd  stores  had  nothing  offensive  about  them,  and  the 


140 

clocks  were  as  clean  and  free  from  any  obvious,  pu- 
trid and  noxious  effluvia,  or  tilth,  as  in  the  most 
cleanly  part  of  the  town  ;  and  much  more  so  than  in 
some  other  parts,  where  the  docks,  at  timts,  have 
been  extremely  offensive,  from  the  noisome  stench 
issuing  from  them  ;  and  which,  at  the  same  time,  has 
been  encreased  by  the  putrid  effluvium  arising  from 
damaged  bed  and  tish  m  the  contiguous  cellars  and 
stores;  and  yet  as  lar  as  my  knowledge  extends,  no 
Malignant  or  Yellow  Fever  has  ever  arisen  therefrom, 
although  these  apparently  formidable  agents,  with 
their  combined  p  nveis,  have  existed  in  a  number  of 
cases,  for  several  years  past,  that  have  fallen  under 
nay  observation,  and  to  snch  extent  as  to  have  ex- 
cited very  serious  alarm  Lr  the  consequences. 

"  3dly.  With  respect  to  the  connection  of  the  sickly 
district  with  the  shipping. 

ec  It  is  to  be  understood  that  the  fever  was  confin- 
ed, except  in  three  or  four  cases,  to  be  mentioned 
hereafter,  to  both  sides  of  Water-street,  extending 
about  I  \S  yards  parallel  with  the  wharves.  From 
the  back  part  of  the  houses  next  the  river,  the  dis- 
tance may  be  about  35  or  40  yards  from  the  head  of 
the  wharves,  and  from  the  opposite  side  of  the  street, 
about  80  or  90  yards;  and  it  appears  as  a  matter  of 
fact,  that  all  vessels  from  the  West-Indies  and  else- 
where, have  been  permitted,  and  have  actually  come 
up  to  the  town,  and  unloaded  their  cargoes  at  the 
wharves,  with  >ut  cleansing,  or  performing  quaran- 
tine, until  since  the  commencement  of  the  fever. 

"  And  it  furthermore  appears,  that  three  vessels 
from  different  parts  of  the  West-Indies,  have  arrived 
and  unloaded  at  the  wharves  within  the  infected  dis- 
trict, a  very  little  while  before  the  fever  broke  out,  viz. 
the  brig  Plaster,  from  St.  Croix,  arrived  on  the  4? h 

July;  the  brig  Hiram,  from  Antigua,  and  the 


14  i 

brig  Juno,  front  Havanna,  both  arrived  on  the  1 9th 
of  July,  and  the  fever  began  in  Captain  Stephen  Rus- 
set's family  on  the  19«h  following;  between  which 
time  and  the  25th,  nineteen  persons  more  were  at-  \|* 
tacked,  seventeen  in  this  district,  and  two  living  at  a 
distance  from  it.  At  this  time,  the  town  c  nncil  or- 
dered all  that  part  of  the  town  evacuated,  and  the 
vessels  removed;  and  the  fever  immediately  ceased, 
except  m  two  cases;  one  of  which,  a  son  of  Captain 
Trowbridge,  occurred  on  the  7th,  and  Mr.  Clifford, 
on  the  12th  of  \ugust ;  the  latter  of  whom  declared  to 
my  partner,  Dr:  Eddy,  and  myself,  that  he  was  two 
or  three  times  on  beard  the  brig  Hiram,  which  ves- 
sel had  been  removed  from  her  former  situation, 
where  the  lever  began,  to  the  wharf  back  of  the  shop 
where  he  was  employed,  instead  of  being  sent  down 
to  the  quarantine  ground.  She  has  since  gone  to 
sea,  and  there  are  the  strongest  grounds  to  believe 
that  Trowbridge  had  been  in  the  infected  street ;  and 
if  hot,  the  shop  where  he  worked  was  not  more  than  i 
30  or  40  yards  from  where  the  fever  first  began. 

"  Of  the  two  persons  above-mentioned,  who  were 
early  attacked,  and  resided  at  a  distance  from  the  in- 
fected part,  one  was  Captain  John  Warner,  and  the 
other  Mr.  Jos  Masury,  jun.  and  it  is  perfectly  well 
known,  that  both  had  been  employed  on  these  ; 
wharves,  and  had  been  on  board  the  suspected  ves- 
sels ;  and  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  they  had  the  same 
fever  the  others  had.  Warner  was  quite  yellow,  and 
Masury  died  on  the  fifth  day  with  the  genuine  black 
vomit,  and  other  concomitant  symptoms  of  Yellow 
Fever. 

"  In  addition  to  the  above,  I  would  beg  leave  to 
call  the  attention  of  the  Board  of  Health  to  th®  fol- 
lowing circumstances,  viz.  On  the  25th  of  July,  the 
order  for  the  evacuation  of  the  infected  district,  and 
removal  of  the  shipping  was  issued  and  immediately 


142 

complied  with,  and  the  fever  ceased,  so  that  many 
families  returned  to  their  habitations,  about  the  mid- 
dle of  August,  the  very  season  when,  in  general,  the 
Yellow  Fever  begins  its  ravages  as  an  epidemic,  and 
yet  not  the  slightest  case  of  fever  or  other  sickness 
has  appeared  in  this  district,  (August  28th)  and  the 
town  continues  very  healthy ;  and  what  renders  the 
case  still  more  remarkable,  is,  that  this  district  was 
in  so  clean  a  state,  that  no  kind  of  alteration  of  its 
former  condition  has  been  made  in  it,  except  that  six 
loads  of  sand  have  been  carted  into  one  dock,  and 
that  merely  because  two  privies  were  situated  over 
it,  but  which  were  constantly  washed  by  the  ebbing 
and  flowing  of  the  tide,  and  of  course,  no  considera- 
ble accumulation  could,  or  did  take  place.  This  dock 
was  not  offensive,  and  the  house  adjoining  the  wharf, 
and  very  near  to  the  dock,  was  the  only  one,  whose 
inhabitants  were  exempt  from  the  fever. 

u  It  further  appears  by  the  declaration  of  Captain 
Benjamin  Dexter,  who  had  three  of  his  family  taken 
with  the  fever,  that  when  some  of  these  vessels  pump- 
ed out  their  bilge-water,  it  was  so  extremely  offen- 
sive, that  the  workmen  on  his  store  were  made  sick, 
and  in  some  of  them  to  vomiting.  And  Mr.  Goif 
declares,  that  the  bilge-water  pumped  from  one  of 
these  vessels  was  so  particularly  offensive,  that  he 
was  obliged  to  shut  up  the  doors  and  windows  of  his 
shop,  notwithstanding  his  workmen  (shoemakers)  bad 
been  much  accustomed  to  the  smell  of  bilge-water. 

"  I  would  further  state  to  the  Board  of  Health, 
that  the  persons  attacked  with  the  fever  had  been  on 
board  the  suspected  vessels,  as  well  as  that  they  lived 
in  the  vicinity  of  them. 

"  With  respect  to  the  condition  of  the  abovemen- 
tioned  vessels,  the  following'  circumstances  appear, 
viz.  the  brig  Planter  had  two  men  taken  sick  with 


145 

yellow-fever  on  board,  at  St.  Croix,  early  in  the 
month  of  May,  who  wrere  carried  on  shore,  as  soon 
as  the  disease  was  ascertained,  and  died  ;  but  I 
cannot  learn  that  the  clothing  belonging  to  them 
was  brought  home,  and  the  vessel  underwent  no 
cleansing,  before  or  after,  her  arrival. 

"  The  Hiram  arrived  on  the  12th,  from  Antigua, 
and  on  her  arrival,  Mr.  Church,  one  of  her  owners, 
says  that  he  threw  overboard  twenty  dollars  worth 
of  sailors'  clothes,  and  the  reason  he  assigned  for  it 
was,  that  the  countenances  of  the  people  did  not 
look  well,  and  he  thought  the  air  of  the  vessel  was 
not  good,  and  that  part  of  the  infection  came  from 
her. 

cc  The  brig  Juno  also  arrived,  1 2th  July,  from  Ha- 
%ana,  and  had  one  or  two  people  sick  on  the  pas- 
sage home. 

"  All  these  vessels,   without  performing  quaran- 
tine or  being  cleansed,  immediately  on  their  arrival, 
unloaded  at  the  several  wharves  of  the  sickly  district, 
a  little  before  the  sickness  began,  as  before  stated. 
I 

"  Having  thus  related  the  circumstances  respect- 
ing the  origin  of  the  sickness,  as  far  as  they  have 
come  to  my  knowledge,  I  am  now  to  reply  to  that 
part  of  your  request  respecting  its  nature. 

"  When  the  fever  first  made  its  appearance,  con- 
sidering the  number  attacked,  and  in  so  small  a 
compass,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  wharves  and  vessels, 
and  very  near  to  where  the  yellow  fever  had  twice 
before  appeared  in  an  epidemic  form,  it  highly  ex- 
cited our  fears,  and  when  added  to  these  circum- 
stances, wre  found  them  labouring  under  the  follow- 
ing symptoms — rigours — violent  pains  in  the  head 


and  eyes,  back  and  limbs — prostration  of  strength*— 
sickness  at  stomach,  with  great  distress,  which  was 
a  constant  and  universal  symptom  with  them  all — 
with  fever,  &c.  we  were  almost  confirmed  in  the  be- 
lief of  Yellow  Fever ;  but  as  their  eyes  had  not  that 
suffusion  so  common  to  that  fever,  and  the  more  de- 
cided and  unequivocal  symptoms  kept  off  for  four  or 
five  days,  and  considering  the  earliness  of  the  season, 
we  still  hoped  that  we  might  be  mistaken,  and  did 
not  make  a  report  to  the  council,  officially,  till  the 
fifth  day,  when  the  symptoms  assumed  such  an  as- 
pect, as  left  no  doubt  of  its  real  nature;  for  now  one 
patient  was  attacked  with  the  black  or  coffee-colour- 
ed vomit ;  another  had  a  livid  countenance,  with  pe- 
techias ;  a  third  turned  yellowr ;  a  fourth  had  black  vo- 
mit and  was  yellow ;  a  fifth  had  black  vomit  and 
stools ;  and  a  sixth  black  vomit  and  stools,  and  pro- 
fuse haemorrhage  from  the  irr  uth,  stnmach,  &c.  and 
all  of  them  great  sickness  at  the  stomach. 

"  Six  persons  died  about  the  fifth  and  sixth  day 
from  the  attack.  These  symptoms,  connected  with 
the  suddenness  of  the  deaths,  &c.  will  clearly  point 
out  to  any  person  competent  to  judge  of  the  case, 
that  it  was  unequivocally  the  Yellow  or  Malignant 
Fever. 

, "  I  will  now  take  a  retrospective  view  of  the  fore- 
going statement,  and  draw  the  conclusion  that  ap- 
pears to  me,  naturally  and  fairly  to  result  from  it. 

"  It  then  appears  that  the  town  of  Providence  has 
enjoyed  a  great  degree  of  health  for  seveial  years 
past,  and  been  exempt  from  those  epidemics  supposed 
the  precursors  of  Yellow  Fever.  That  about  the  ^Oth 
of  July,  seventeen  or  eighteen  persons  were  attacked 
with  Yellow  Fever,  in  a  small  district,  till  this  time 
remarkably  health}  — That  this  district  was  very  clean 
and  free  from  any  obvious  cause  of  sickness  about  the 


145 

bouses,  stores,  docks  or  wharves ;  but  that  three  dif- 
ferent vessels,  from  three  different  ports  of  the  West- 
Indies,  had  arrived  at,  and  unloaded  on,  the  wharves 
of  this  district,  without  performingquarantine  or  being 
cleansed ;  that  one  had  lost  two  men  with  Yellow 
Fever,  at  St.  Croix ;  another  was  suspected  to  be  in- 
fected, by  the  owner ;  and  that  the  third  had  had 
sickness  on  the  homeward  bound  passage :  that  the 
inhabitants  of  this  district  and  the  vessels  were  remov- 
ed on  the  26th  of  July,  and  that  the  fever  ceased; 
that  about  the  middle  of  August,  many  of  the  inha- 
bitants returned  to  their  habitations  in  this  district  -y 
that  they  have  been  there  about  a  fortnight,  and  no 
sickness  had  recurred,  notwithstanding  no  alteration 
has  been  made  in  the  condition  of  this  district,  except 
six  loads  of  sand  put  into  one  dock,  merely  because 
two  privies  were  over  it,  but  which  were  not,  in  any 
manner,  remarkably  filthy ;  that  many  of  the  sick 
j  had  been  on  board  of  the  suspected  vessels;  and  final- 
ly, that  they  had  been  much  affected  by  the  extreme 
olfensiveness  of  the  bilge-water  of  these  vessels. 

"  From  the  foregoing  premises,  I  think  we  may 
fairly  infer,  that  the  fever  was  the  Yellow  or  Malig- 
nant Fever,  and  that  it  had  its  origin,  or  stood,  some- 
L  how  or  other,  connected  with  one  or  all  three  of  the 
vessels  above-mentioned.  This  is,  at  least,  my  opi- 
nion, decidedly  -,  and  not  only  of  the  fever  of  thisyear, 
but  in  each  epidemic  Yellow  Fever  in  this  town,  I 
think  I  have  the  most  unequivocal  evidence  of  its  im- 
portation ;  and  even  in  almost  every  sporadic  case,  I 
have  been  able  to  trace  a  connection  with  a  source 
of  foreign  origin,  either  at  the  time,  or  perhaps,  by 
knowledge  of  it  obtained  along  time  after. 

"  Two  such  instances  have  come  to  my  knowledge 
lately. 

"  Now,  notwithstanding  my  belief  that  the  conia- 


146 

giou  is  imported,  I  think  it  proper  to  observe,  that  I 
also  believe,  that  it  requires  some  peculiar,  appro- 
priate, and  to  me,  inexplicable  condition  in  our  at- 
mosphere, to  render  it  capable  of  propagation,  either 
as  a  medium,  through  which  the  contagion  may  be 
spread,  or  by  combining  with  it,  and  thus  rendering 
it  active.  It  is  like  tinder  fitted  to  receive  a  spark 
of  fire,  and  as  far  as  this  appropriate  state  of  air  ex- 
tends, when  saturated  or  contaminated  with  the  fo- 
reign or  contagious  principle,  so  far  is  it  capable  of 
communicating  the  disease  to  those  who  inhale  it, 
and  are  predisposed  to  it :  and  I  am  led  to  this  con* 
elusion  from  the  following  circumstances.  The  dis- 
ease, I  believe,  generally  appears  first  as  an  epidemic, 
or  in  its  propagating  state,  near  to,  or  about  wharves 
and  docks,  and  extends  its  influence  gradually  and 
progressively,  so  that  if  a  patient  ever  so  bad,  and 
even  dies  with  it,  is  carried  into  the  country,  or,  in 
the  beginning  of  the  epidemic,  into  a  distant  part  of 
the  town  or  city,  remote  from  the  water,  he  does  not 
convey  the  disorder,  even  to  those  in  frequent  con- 
tact with  him  ;  at  least,  this  has  been  the  case  with 
us,  and  I  believe  is  generally  admitted  as  fact  in  other 
places. 

"  Now,  if  this  fever  possessed  the  common  charac- 
ter of  other  contagious  diseases,  it  would  like  them, 
in  all  situations,  and  in  all  seasons,  be  more  or  less 
capable  of  propagating  its  kind  under  these  different 
circumstances. 

"  What  this  condition  of  the  atmosphere  is,  that 
by  assimulating  with  the  contagion,  or  serving  as  a 
medium  to  it,  which  renders  it  so  destructive  to  the 
human  race,  I  cannot  pretend  to  say,  or  even  con- 
jecture :  but  that  it  is  not  the  object  of  our  senses,  I 
am  fully  convinced,  from  long  and  much  observation. 
The  inference,  however,  from  this  hypothesis  is  obvi- 
ous, if  we  cannot  comprehend  the  condition  of  our 


147 

atmosphere,  which  renders  the  disease  capable  of 
propagation,  then  we  should  be  the  more  careful  to 
prevent  the  foreign  principle  from  being  brought  into 
contact  with  the  domestic  one.  This,  however,  is  a 
task  truly  peculiar,  considering  the  thousand  different 
ways  by  running  articles  from  vessels,  by  clothes  sent 
from  them,  by  persons  visiting  them  secretly,  &c.  <>: 
by  which  it  may  be  conveyed. 

"  Before  I  quit  this  subject,  I  must  beg  leave  to 
call  the  attention  of  the  Board  of  Health  to  one  cir- 
cumstance attending  Yellow  Fever;  a  circumstance  of 
the  utmost  importance  in  investigating  its  nature,  and 
so  obvious,  that  one  would  think,  that  the  meanest 
capacity  would  comprehend  it,  and  which,  at  the  same 
time,  is  overlooked  by  many  eminent  and  ingenious 
men.  It  is  this  :  that  the  first  frost,  or  what  is  called 
black  frost,  destroys  the  real  Yellow  Fever  radically, 
although  it  may,  at  this  time,  have  extended  its  influ- 
ence ever  so  far  5  whereas  the  Bilious  and  other  fevers 
of  our  country,  which  are  said  to  be  oniy  grades  of 
the  Yellow  Fever,  are  often  extended  into,  and 
through  the  winter  and  spring.  Now  it  appears  to 
absurd  to  suppose,  that  a  cause  which  is  capable 
to  destroy  the  highest  grade  of  a  ieYer,  should  be  una- 
ble to  produce  the  same  effect  upon  the  lower  de- 
grees of  it;  but  as  we  every  year  see,  that  frost  radi- 
cal!)' destroys  the  Yellow  Fever  at  once,  while  our 
other  fevers  continue  through  v  fa  many 

cases,  the  inference  is  plain  and  irresistible,  that  there 
is  a  specitic  difference  between  them,  although  there 
may  be  some  symptoms  in  col 0  them  all. 

"  With  respect  to  a  retrospective  view  of  former 
years,  I  must  beg  leave  to  reier  the  Board  of  Health 
to  some  documents  I  am  about  to  send  on  to  Dr. 
1  losaek  upon  this  subject,  and  which  I  shall  request 
him  to  give  them  the  perusal  of,  if  they  should  d 
them  of  sufficient  consequence. 


148 

"  You  will  please  to  tender  my  respects  to  the 
Board  of  Health. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be, 
With  much  respect, 
Your  obedient  servant, 
PARDON  BOWEN. 
Providence,  August  28th,  18Go." 

cc  September  10///,  1805. 
"  Sir, 

"  I  have  been  under  the  necessit}'  to  withhold  my 
communication  until  this  time,  as  I  was  informed  that 
one  of  the  circumstances  mentioned  therein,  was  not 
correct,  and  the  persons  capable  of  giving  correct  in- 
formation were  absent.  I  have  this  moment  seen 
one  of  them,  and  am  now  able  to  say,  that  instead 
of  the  brig  Juno's  having  one  or  two  persons  sick  on 
the  homeward  boBnd  passage,  she  had  only  one  man 
sick  or  unwell  several  days  in  the  Havanna,  but  was 
able  to  do  his  duty  home.  This  vessel  was  also  at 
New-Providence  during  her  voyage. 

u  No  person  is  or  has  been  sick  in  the  district, 
where  our  fever  prevailed,  and  the  inhabitants  are 
all  returned,  with  but  a  few  exceptions. 
Yours  with  esteem,  &c. 

PARDON  BOWEN." 

The  next  opinion,  which  we  have  concerning  the 
origin  of  vellow  fever  is  contained  in  a  letter  from  Dr. 
John  Stewart,  of  Grenada,  to  Dr.  David  Hosack, 
of  this  city.  In  order  to  understand  this,  it  may  be 
proper  to  observe,  that  Dr.  Hosack  about  the  mid- 
dle of  November  last,  published  a  statement  of  his 
official  conduct  with  the  Board  of  Health ;  but  as 
his  letters  to  that  body  have  been  already  published 
in  the  preceding  part  of  this  work,  it  will  be  unne- 
cessary here  to  repeat  them.     It  will,  therefore,  on- 


14$ 

Iy  be  needful  to  give  the  other  parts  of  Pie- 

man's statement. 

To  the  Editor  of  the  Morning  Chronicle. 

"Sir, 

"  As  every  thing  relating  to  Yellow  Fever  seems 
to  have  become  so  very  unpleasant  to  many  of your 
readers,  it  is  with  regret  that  I  feel  myself  compelled 
to  occupy  a  column  of  your  paper  on  that  subject  ; 
but  to  pass  over  in  silence,  the  misrepresentations, 
which  have  been  circulated  relative  to  my  professi- 
onal conduct  during  the  late  epidemic,  would  not 
only  be  injustice  to  myself,  but  inconsistent  with  that 
respect,  which  I  consider  due  to  public  opinion.  As 
soon,  therefore,  as  I  could  procure  the  necessary  do- 
cuments from  the  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Health, 
I  prepared  the  following  concise,  but  I  trust  satis- 
factory statement,  for  ,  the  inspection  of  my  fellow- 
citizens. 

"  Of  the  various  charges  circulated  against  me  tlie 
first  is,  that  I  denied  the  existence  of  the  yellow 
ver  after  it  had  appeared  in  different  parts  of  our  ci- 
ty, in  consequence  of  which  many  persons  were  induc- 
ed to  remain  longer  than  they  otherwise  would  have 
done,  and  some  of  whom  actually  fell  victims  to  their 
misplaced  confidence.  The  following  documents 
will,  I  trust,  shew  that  this  new  sort  of  calumny  ((or 
till  this  year  I  have  been  pointed  at  by  the  same  per- 
sons as  an  alarmist)  is  totally  unfounded.  It  is  ne- 
cessary previously  to  remind  the  reader  that  the 
Board  oi  Health  published  their  first  report  of  the 
existence  of  the  epidemic  on  Friday  the  tith  Septem- 
ber. On  the  5th  of  August  I  addressed  a  letter  to 
the  Board,  of  which  the  following  is  an  extract  : 

"  On  Tuesday  morning,  July  SO,  about  9  o'clock, 
Dr.  Riddle,  for  the  first  time,  requested  me  to  visit 


150 

with  him  Mr.  Dougherty,  in  Water  street,  a  clerk  in 
the  employ  of  Messrs.  Moore  and  Storey,  which  I 
did  immediately.' * 

"  The  Doctor  informed  me  that  this  patient  had 
been  sick  since  the  preceding  Wednesday,  the  24th 
inst"  ! 

"  Upon  retiring  (after  having  examined  the  state 
of  the  patient  and  heard  the  Doctor's  history  of  the 
case)  I  did  not  hesitate  to  express  my  belief  of  the 
nature  of  the  disease." 

"  As  the  patient  was  near  his  dissolution  I  imme- 
diately made  a  report  to  the  Mayor  of  the  case." 

Dr.  Hosack  at  the  end  of  his  letter  of  the  6th  of 
September,  makes  the  following  remarks.  "  I  have 
to  observe,  that  at  the  very  time  when  the  above  cases 
were  shewn  to  me,  as  the  only  ones  that  had  been 
reported,  I  have  since  discovered  from  an  inspection 
of  the  minutes  of  the  board,  that  there  had  been  re- 
ported five  more,  neither  of  which  was  shewn  to  me 
by  the  Secretary.  To  the  above  letter  the  calumny 
attributing  to  me  a  denial  of  the  existence  of  the  dis- 
ease, is  to  be  ascribed.  I  shall  only  add,  that  the 
five  cases  shewn  me  as  Yellow  Fever,  but  which  I 
denied  to  be  such,  all  terminated  as  will  be  found  by 
examining  the  records  of  the  board  in  recoveries. 
The  other  five  I  did  not  see." 

The  above  seems  to  convey  a  reflection  upon  me, 
as  not  having  performed  a  particular  duty  enjoined 
upon  me  by  the  Board.  It  is  well  known,  however, 
to  several  of  the  members,  that  the  circumstances  un- 
der which  I  at  that  time  acted,  were  peculiarly  dif- 
ficult and  perplexing,  several  physicians  having  ex- 
pressly declared,  that  they  would  deem  it  an  insult, 
if  any  medical  gentleman  should  be  introduced  to  see 


151 

a  patient  of  theirs,  without  their  consent.  An  im- 
partial public  will,  I  am  persuaded,  be  fully  satisfied, 
that  upon  an  occasion  of  this  nature,  it  was  proper 
for  me  to  endeavour,  by  every  means  in  my  power, 
io  prevent  discord  or  dissention  taking  place  amongst 
professional  characters. 

The  following  part  of  Dr.  Hosack's  statement, 
not  having  appeared,  in  what  I  have  already  publish- 
ed relative  to  that  gentleman,  a  regard  to  justice  ren- 
ders it  necessary,  that  it  should  be  republished  here. 

"  It  has  been  said,  that  a  view  to  the  compensa- 
tion offered  by  the  Board  of  Health,  was  the  motive 
of  the  unworthy  conduct  with  which  I  have  been 
charged. 

"  The  following  letter  from  the  Mayor,  will,  I 
trust,  afford  a  sufficient  reply  to  this  calumny. 

"  Utk  November,  1805. 

"  Sir, 

"  Agreeably  to  your  request,  I  have  directed  the 
Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Health,  to  furnish  you  with 
copies  of  your  reports,  which  I  presume  you  have  re- 
ceived before  this  time. 

"  It  is  but  an  act  of  justice  to  you  to  declare,  that 
previous  to  your  acting  under  the  request  of  the 
Board,  you  explicitly  assured  me  that  you  would  re- 
ceive no  compensation. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be, 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 
DE  WITT  CLINTON. 
Dr.  Hosack." 

"  It  has  been  said  that  I  have  departed  from  the 
♦pinions  I  had  heretofore  entertained  of  the  origin 


of  the  yettbw  feVef-,  and  that  as  in  the  present  year 
no  particular  vessel  had  been  charged  with  the  in- 
troduction of  it,  we  were  compelled  to  acknowledge 
its  domestic  origin.  Such  too  appears  to  be  the  ob- 
ject and  tenor  of  the  last  very  extraordinary  letter 
published  by  the  Healtk-Oflicer.  In  reply  to  this 
misrepresentation  of  my  opinion,  I  have  only  to  re- 
mark, that  if  I  had  before  entertained  any  doubt  of 
the  origin  of  this  calamity,  the  circumstances  attend- 
ing its  appearance  in  the  present  season,  would  alone 
have  satisfied  me  (as  it  has  some  others  who  have 
had  opportunities  of  watching  its  early  progress)  that 
it  is  not  the  product  of  our  own  soil  or  climate,  but 
is  always  introduced  from  abroad.  The  intercourse 
I  might,  perhaps, say  the  unlimited  intercourse ,  which 
has  existed  between  the  Quarrantine  ground  and  this 
city,  by  night  as  well  as  by  day,  sufficiently  accounts 
for  the  origin  of  the  pestilence  of  the  last  season. 

Ci  It  is  unnecessary  for  me  here  to  go  into  details; 
the  clue  to  the  investigation  of  the  facts  upon  this 
subject,  is  in  the  possession  of  the  proper  authority, 
and  I  trust  it  will  be  pursued  with  the  attention  it 
merits,  and  the  importance  of  the  enquiry  demands; 
but  I  will  venture  to  predict,  that  unless  our  Legisla- 
ture enact  a  law  that  will  make  it  necessary  to  qua- 
rantine the  captains  of  vessels,  the  supercargo,  the 
seamen,  the  passengers,  their  bedding,  cloathing,  8Cc. 
as  well  as  the  vessels  themselves,  wc  shall  never  be 
secure  from  danger,  and  that  the  now  growing  com- 
merce of  our  city  will  be  sacrificed  to  the  repetition 
of  this  terrible  calamity. 

u  While  I  thus  recommend  a  more  strict  and  effi- 
cient Quarantine  Law,  to  prevent  the  introduction 
irf contagion  from  abroad,  I  hope  it  will  not  be  thought 
that  I  disregard  the  attention  bestowed  by  our  vigi- 
lant police  in  preserving  cleanliness  at  home.  On 
the  contrary,  it  is  conceded,  that  the  Yellow  Fever, 


1.53 

like  other  contagious  diseases,  is  never  so  readily  pro- 
pagated in  a  pure  as  in  an  impure  atmosphere;  per- 
haps I  may  go  further  and  say,  that  the  Yellow  Fever, 
more  than  any  other  contagious  disease  that  we 
know  of,  requires  an  impure  air,  as  its  conductor. 
But  that  the  filth  of  our  streets,  our  docks,  or  ?iew  made 
grounds,  grave  yards  or  privies,  have  ever  generated 
this  species  of  fever,  I  cannot  believe.  I  should  as 
readily  ascribe  the  origin  of  Small-pox,  or  Measles,  or 
Plague,  to  the  dirt  of  our  gutters,  as  to  trace  the 
Yellow  Fever  to  putrid  animal  or  vegetable  matter; 
and  that  I  am  not  alone  in  this  opinion,  a  vast  body 
of  testimony  might  be  adduced,  but  I  shall  content 
myself  with  the  following  extract  from  an  interesting 
letter,  which  I  received  a  few  days  ago  from  Dr.  John 
Stuart,  an  eminent  physician,  from  the  island  cf  Gre- 
nada, who  has  lately  visited  this  city. 

"  This  gentleman  has  practised  medicine  24  years 
in  that  island,  resided  there  in  1793,  when  the  Yel- 
low Fever  was  introduced  from  Boullam,  by  the  ship 
Hankey,  and  which  in  the  same  year,  communicated 
that  disease  to  Philadelphia.  The  celebrity  of  Dr. 
Stuart,  as  an  accomplished  scholar  and  physician, 
entitles  his  observations  to  the  particular  attention  of 
©ur  citizens. 

I  am,  Sir,  with  regard,  vours, 

DAVID  IIOSACK." 

"  New-York,  Nov.  12,  1805. 
a  Deab.  Sir, 

"  I  have  received  your  favour  of  this  date,  desiring 
information  concerning  the  fever  which  appeared, 
and  proved  so  fatal,  in  Grenada,  in  March,  1793.  I 
feel  much  disposed  to  comply  with  your  request,  but 
regret  that  my  time  will  not  allow  me  to  do  so  in  a 
manner  satisfactory  to  myself;  at  all  events,  I  hope  you 
will  make  allowance  for  any  inaccuracy  I  mav  coin-,, 


134 

mil,  in  referring  to  a  circumstance,  'wtich  took  place 
so  long  as  12  years  ago,  especially  as  I  am  possessed 
of  no  memorandum  respecting  the  disease,  all  my 
papers  having  been  destroyed  in  the  insurrection 
which  occurred  in  that  island,  in  J  795. 

"  It  may  be  necessary  to  premise,  that  I  had  been 
engaged  in  an  extensive  practice  in  the  quarters  of 
St.  Andrews  and  St.  Patricks,  for  19  years  previous 
to  the  period  referred  to.  My  place  of  residence  was 
on  the  east  side  of  the  island,  and  on  the  confines  of 
these  two  parishes,  about  24  miles  from  Sfe.  George, 
the  capital,  and  upwards  of  four  miles  from  Grenville 
bay,  the  second  harbour  in  the  colony — The  tract  of 
country  between  my  abode  and  the  latter,  is  flat,  and 
the  shore  low  and  swampy ;  it  is  consequently  extreme- 
ly unhealthy  in  the  fall  of  the  year ;  I  had  become,  of 
course,  welt  acquainted  with  Tertian  Fever  under  its 
various  forms,  of  intermittent,  remittent,  and  conti- 
nued types.  It  is,  however,  worthy  of  remark,  that 
1  do  not  recollect  an  instance  of  an  epidemic  occur- 
ring among  the  white  inhabitants  in  any  part  of  the 
island,  from  January  to  July  or  August,  previous  to 
the  year  1/93. 

(<  My  first  acquaintance  with  the  fever  in  question 
wa  s  as  follows  :  In  the  month  of  March  of  that  year 
I  went  one  day  on  board  the  ship  Adventure,  then 
lying  in  Grenville  harbour,  to  visit  the  carpenter,  at 
that  time  under  my  charge  for  a  gun  shot  wound  in 
his  hand.  While  there,  captain  Remington  arrived 
irom  St.  George's  by  sea  ;  he  had  come  round  in  a 
drogher,  and  had  had  heavy  squalls,  with  rain,  in  his 
passage  to  windward.  He  then  complained  of  be- 
ing feverish,  and  seemed  low  spirited,  he  had  heat 
of  skin,  his  pulse  full  and  under  one  hundred,  head- 
ache, pain  in  his  back  and  limbs,  and  over  his  whole 
body :  these  symptoms  I  imputed  to  cold  caught  in 
his  passage  up,  and  accordingly  took  eight  ounces 


155 

of  blood  from  him,  which  unexpectedly  neither  ex- 
hibited the  bussy  coat,  nor  the  coagulum  any  degree 
of  contraction,  nor  consequent  separation  of  serum. 
He  took  an  emetic  of  Ipecacuanha  in  the  evening, 
and  a  dose  of  Glauber  Salts  the  following  morning, 
During  three  days  I  continued  to  visit  him,  his  pulse 
did  not  exceed  one  hundred,  nor  was  the  heat  of  his 
skin  considerable  ;•  he  took  occasionally  small  doses 
of  Antimonial  Wine,  with  the  addition  of  Laudanum 
at  bed  time,  and  made  free  use  of  tepid  drinks..., 
At  the  end  of  that  time,  I  was  under  the  necessity 
of  putting  him  in  charge  of  a  neighbouring  practi- 
tioner, having  a  call  to  the  other  side  of  the  island. 
On  leaving  him,  I  certainly  did  not  entertain  any 
idea  of  his  being  in  danger;  I  was,  however,  forcibly 
struck  with,  and  could  not  well  account  for  an  un- 
common degree  of  despondency  of  mind,  that  was 
then  present,  and  it  was  not  possible  to  remove  the 
impression  that  he  was  to  die ;  nor  was  I  the  less 
surprised,  on  going  to  Grenville  a  few  days  there- 
after to  be  told  of  his  death,  and  more  especially  to 
hear  of  that  event  having  been  preceded  by  haemorr- 
hage from  his  nose,  stomach,  mouth  and  urinary 
bladder.  On  this  occasion,  while  in  conversation 
with  some  gentlemen  on  the  fate  of  this  unfortunate 
man,  I  could  not  help  noticing  the  malignity  of  the 
case,  and  the  difference  in  the  train  of  symptoms 
from  what  I  had  ever  witnessed  to  take  place  in  the 
worst  case  of  our  endemic  fever.  But  a  few  min- 
utes had  elapsed,  when  a  gentleman  arrived  from  St. 
George's ;  I  had  no  sooner  mentioned  capt.  R's. 
death  to  him,  and  my  surprise  thereat,  when  he  ins- 
tantly replied  it  was  known  to  him,  for  that  capt. 
R.  had  eat  and  slept  on  board  the  ship  Ilankey,  dur- 
ing several  days  that  he  was  in  town.  This  was 
the  first  notice  I  had  of  such  a  vessel  being  in  the 
colony,  and  I  therefore  anxiously  requested  he 
would  explain  himself:  this  he  did,  by  saying  that  the 
Hankey,  capt.  Cox,  had  arrived  some  time  before 


156 

after  carrying  a  number  of  settlers  from  England  t® 
the  coast  of Africa, where  she  had  remained  tor  some 
months,  and  that  during  her  stay  the  greater  part  of 
those  unfortunate  people  had  been  carried  off  by  fe- 
ver, and  concluded  by  saying,  that  there  was,at  that 
time,a  cursed  infection  lurking  on  board  of  her.  That 
the  mate  of  the  ship  Baillieshad  died,  or  was  dying, 
and  several  other  seamen  were  very  ill  when  he  left 
town.  The  melancholy  scene  that  artervvards  fol- 
owed  at  St.  George's  in  '93. ...'94,  is  well  and  amply 
described  by  my  respectable  friend  Dr.  Chisholm, 
in  his  well  known  work,  on  West-India  diseases. 

"  As  to  the  character  of  this  fever,my  experience 
has  fully  satisfied  me  that  it  was  specifically  distinct 
from  every  form  of  the  Indigenous  Bilious  Remit- 
tent, which  I  had  ever  observed.  Because  it  appear- 
ed at  a  season  of  the  year  which  I  had  always  found 
healthy,  during  a  period  of  nineteen  years  I  had 
resided  in  the  colony.  Because  it  did  not  particu- 
larly appear  in  those  situations  where  bilious  re- 
mittent fever  usually  prevailed  during  the  unhealthy 
season  of  the  year.  Because  there  was  an  evident 
difference  in  the  character  and  type  of  the  two  dis- 
eases ;  there  was  a  greater  despondency  of  mind  in 
this  fever,  the  eyes  were  more  muddy  and  inflamed, 
there  was  commonly  a  deep  seated  pain  in  the  eye- 
sockets,  the  motion  of  the  eye-balls  was  attended 
with  uneasiness  ;  the  pain  in  the  back  and  limbs 
was  greater  than  in  bilious  fever  ;  the  vomiting  was 
not  of  so  violent  and  straining  a  nature,  nor  was 
there  such  evacuations  of  bilious  matter.  The 
black  vomit*  generally  occurred  at  an  early  period  ; 
the  yellowness  was  of  a  dingy  hue,  not  of  the  real 
icteric  tinge  accompanying  cases  of  bilious  fever. 
The  delirium  was  in  many  instances  of  a  peculiar 
nature,  and  much  resembling  a  state  of  intoxication; 

*  Which  I  consider  as  one  of  the  characterislistics  of  this  disease. 


157 

haemorrhage  was  more  frequent,  particularly  by 
urine,  and  from  the  stomach  and  intestines.  Pati- 
ents, on  several  occasions,  made  exertions  not  long 
before  death,  that  I  never  witnessed  in  bilious  fever. 
I  have  known  a  patient  to  get  up,  dress  himself,  and 
walk  about  his  chamber,  a  very  short  time  before 
his  death.  Medical  practitioners,  before  being  well 
acquainted  with  the  deceitful  nature  of  the  disease, 
not  unfrequently  declared  their  patients  out  of  dan- 
ger, when  the  fatal  issue  took  place  an  hour  or  two 
after  their  departure.  Because  I  never  knew  this 
fever  terminate  within  a  few  weeks  in  intermittent, 
as  tertian,  remittent  or  bilious  fever  commonly  does. 
Because  the  degree  of  weakness  produced  by  the 
fever  is  greater,  and  the  recovery  of  flesh  and  strength 

more  gradual  and  slow  in  this  than  bilious  fever 

Because  I  did  not  find  the  same  mode  of  treatment 
successful  in  both  cases  of  fever  ;  for  the  early,  bold 
and  free  use  of  bark,  which  I  have  found  very  gen- 
erally to  answer  in  bilious  fever,  seemed  to  aggra- 
vate this  fever,  and  to  hasten  the  fatal  issue. 

"That  this  fever  was  contagious,Iconcludedfrom 
the  manner  in  which  it  broke  out  and  spread.  It  first 
appeared  in  two  or  three  vessels  that  had  a  commu- 
nication with  the  Hankey,  and  from  those  sources 
it  gradually  extended  itself  to  other  vessels  in  the 
harbour,  but  not  to  all  3  for,  where  attention  was 
paid  to  prohibit  communication  with  infected  ships, 
such  vessels  escaped.  After  some  time  it  got  on 
shore,  both  into  town  and  in  the  garrison.  There 
is  also  reason  to  think  that  it  was  carried  from  thence 
to  the  adjoining  islands,  as  it  appeared  at  most  of 
those  to  windward,  within  two  mouths  of  its  break- 
ing out  at  Grenada;  and  some  time  thereafter,  it 
shewed  itself  at  Jamaica,  and  ultimately  I  believe  in 
tember  at  Philadelphia. 

"  Its  contagious  nature  also  appeared  frommzny 


15S 

instances  of  men  ill  1793  and  1794,  going  to  St. 
George's  on  business,  and  being  attacked  a  few 
days  after  their  return  to  the  country  with  this  fever, 
to  several  of  whom  it  proved  fatal ;  but  I  must  ob- 
serve that  I  met  with  no  instance  in  the  country  of 
the  disease  being  communicated  to  others,  either  visi- 
tors or  attendants.  It  is  indeed  true  that  every  at- 
tention was  paid  to  keep  the  chambers  of  the  sick 
well  aired  f  their  linen  frequently  shifted,  and  when 
a  fatal  issue  took  place,  every  article  of  wearing  ap- 
parel and  bedding  was  commonly  destroyed. 

"  From  knowing  several  instances  of  young  men 
who  got  wounded  in  1795  and  1796,  having  been 
sent  for  convenience  and  proper  attendance  to  town, 
and  during  their  cure  were  attacked  by  this  cruel 
disease,  and  on  some  occasions  fell  a  sacrifice 
thereto. 

«  From  instances  occurring,  of  people  expressing 
a  consciousness  of  the  time,  when  they  received  the 
contagion,  while  visiting  acquaintances  labouring  un- 
der the  disease. 

"  From  a  thorough  belief  in  the  minds  of  all  the 
medical  gentlemen  in  Grenada,  who  witnessed  the 
disease,  that  it  was  so;  Jet  it  be  observed,  however, 
that  one  of  the  most  respectable  practitioners  in  St. 
George's,  and  a  particular  acquaintance  of  my  own, 
would  not  allow,  at  first,  that  it  was  contagious. 
And  lastly,  from  a  full  conviction  that  I,  as  well  as 
some  other  medical  gentlemen,  contracted  the  dis- 
ease in  our  attendance  on  the  sick. 

"  Respecting  the  propagation  of  this  fever,  I  am 
decidedly  of  opinion,  that  it  was  occasioned  by  visit- 
ing infected  apartments,  or  by  the  near  approach  to, 
or  contact  with  people  labouring  under  it.  There 
is  every  probability   also,   that  the  infection  was 


159 

brought  to  Grenada  by  the  Hankey;*  but  what  its 
nature  was,  whether  it  originated  on  board  in  conse- 
quence of  the  number  of  sick  crowded  together,  while 
labouring  under  the  endemic  of  a  warm  climate,  and 
that  in  a  sultry,  moist  atmosphere,  is  a  question  I  do 
not  take  upon  myself  to  answer. 

cc  That  vegetable  and  animal  matter,  in  a  state  of 
putrefaction,  does  produce  disease,  is  not  to  be  de- 
nied -,  but  that  vegetable  matter  only  in  a  state  of 
corruption,  is  on  many  occasions  harmless,  is  evident, 
from  the  offensive  heaps  of  cotton-seed,  and  the  pulpy- 
covering  of  the  coffee  berry,  which  are  daily  to  be 
met  with  in  Demarara,  without  being  considered  as 
a  cause  of  fever  -y  nor  should  this  circumstance  be 
omitted,  that  when  fever  does  prevail,  it  is  at  a  sea- 
son, when  those  causes  do  not  act  powerfully. 

Yours,  &c. 

JOHN  STUART. 

Dr.  David  Hosack." 

The  next  opinion  which  I  shall  adduce,  with,  re- 
spect to  the  origin  of  Yellow  Fever  in  this  country, 
is  that  of  the  celebrated  French  traveller,  C.  F.  Vol- 
ney,  in  his  vary  interesting  work,  entitled,  "  A  View 
of  the  Climate  and  Soil  of  the  United  States  of  Ame- 
rica." In  page  297,  of  the  London  edition,  printed 
in  1804,  he  begins  thus: 

OF  THE  YELLOW  FEVER. 

^  "  The  disease,  too  well  known  by  the  name  of  Yel- 
low Fever,  grows  more  and  more  common  in  the 
United  States,  and  I  shall  speak  of  it,  at  some  length, 
on  account  of  the  importance  of  the  subject.  Be- 
sides, as  I  was  originally  intended  for  the  practice  of 

^*  It  is  important  to  note  here,  that  when  the  Hankey  returned  to 
Great-Britain,  she  was  immediately  ordered  by  the  Board  of  Health  t« 
be  burnt,  which  was  done  accordingly. 


160 

physic,  the  studies  of  fitly  younger  days  enabled  me 
to  reason  upon  this  disorder  with  professional  men, 
and  discuss  the  various  (pinions  entertained  concern- 
ing it,  though  with  the  diffidence  becoming  one  who 
has  only  had  a  glimpse  of  the  extensive  career.  Had 
I  not  been  thus  far  qualified,  I  should  have  refrained 
from  meddling  with  the  subject ;  for  to  talk  of  physic 
without  having  studied  the  art,  is  like  discoursing  of 
astronomy,  mechanics,  or  military  skill.,  without  any 
preliminary  information." 

i;rom  the  above  introduction,  it  will  appear  pretty 
evident,  that  Mr.Volney  was  well  qualified  to  make 
remarks  upon  the  nature  of  the  diseases,  which  were 
most  prevalent,  in  those  countries,  through  which  he 
travelled, but  as  want  of  room  compels  me  to  leave  out 
his  account  of  the  different  stages  of  the  yellow  fe- 
ver, the  different  modes  of  cure,  &c.  I  shall  con- 
tent myself,  at  present,  by  giving  his  opinion  con- 
cerning the  origin  of  this  cruel  disorder.  After  men- 
tioning a  schism,  amongst  physicians,  which  he  says, 
had  been  particularly  notorious,  he  goes  on  thus, 
"  Some  have  pretended,  that  it  (the  Yellqw  Fever) 
was  always  imported  from  abroad,  particularly  from 
the  West -Indies ;  and  that  it  was  not,  and  could 
not,  m  any  case,  be  the  native  produce  of  the  United 
States.  In  proof  of  their  opinion,  they  have  advan- 
ced the  non-existence  or  extreme  rarity  of  epidemics 
before  the  peace  of  1783  ;  and  they  have  ascribed 
their  frequency  since  that  period  to  their  more  active 
and  more  direct  commercial  intercoursce  with  the 
West-India  islands  and  the  Spanish  main.  They 
have  even  charged  certain  vessels,  by  name,  with 
having  imported  the  contagion,  the  existence  of  which 
they  have  supposed  in  a  degree  little  inferior  to  the 
Plague." 

c<  Other  physicians,on  tiie  contrary,have  maintain- 
ed, that  from  its  very  nature  the  yellow  fever  might 


161 

arise  in  the  United  States,  as  often  as  its  disposing 
and  occasional  causes  of  time  and  place  occurred  to- 
gether ;  and,  in  the  first  place,  tracing  to  their  source, 
the  pretended  facts  of  importation,  they  have  demon- 
strated by  the  most  positive  testimonies,  not  only 
that  the  vessels  accused  of  having  brought  with  them 
the  disease,  or  its  germes,  did  no  such  thing, /but  that 
it  did  not  appear  on  beard  of  them,  till  after  they  had 
moored  at  the  quays,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  places, 
which  were  noted  at  New-York  and  Philadelphia,  as 
the  foci  of  the  evil ;  with  this  additional  peculiarity, 
that  it  had  even  seized  those  of  the  crews  first,  who 
had  had  the  most  immediate  contact  with  the  infec- 
tious place  ;*  then,  collecting  all  the  circumstances 
of  the  disease,  with  regard  to  place,  season,  and  the 
constitutions  of  the  sick,  they  have  demonstrated, 

"  1st.  That  it  attacked  populous  cities,  in  prefer- 
ence to  villages  and  country  situations. 

"  2dly.  That,  in  populous  cities,  as  New- York, 
Philadelphia,  and  Baltimore,  it  affected  constantly 
and  almost  exclusively,  the  low  parts,  full  of  filth  and 
stagnant  water;  streets  not  ventilated,  not  pa 
and  dirty;  and  particularly  the  quays  and  their  vici- 
nity, covered  with  nastiness  to  an  inconceivable  de- 
gree ;  where  every  day,  at  low  water,  the  shores  are 

*  Thus  the  whole  city  of  Philadelphia  was  persuaded,  that  the  epi- 
demic of  1793,  came  from  the  island  of  Grenada,  to  which  they  said  it 
had  been  brought  from  Bulam,  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  by  the  ship  Han- 
key.  An  English  physician,  who  happened  to  be  aUihat  island,  gave 
great  weight  to  the  authenticity  of  this  secund  part  of  the  story  in  a 
pamphlet  he  wrote;  yet  three  yeais  after,  Mr.  Noah  Webster  and  Dr. 
£.  H.  Smith  published,  at  New-York,  a  journal  of  the  whole  voyage. 
of  the  Hankey,  drawn  up  by  one  of  the  most  respectable  eye-witi 
which  contains  such  a  great  body  of  proof,  and  bears  so  obvious  a  stamp 
of  candour  and  veracity,  that  the  reader  is  convinced,  as  » veil  as  Mr, 
Webster  and  Dr.  Smith,  of  Dr.  Chisholm's  having  been  completely  de- 
ceived. In  like  manner,  Dr.  Richard  Bayley  proves,  in  his  excellent  re- 
port to  the  Governor  of  New-York,  that  "the  accusations  brought  against 
the  vessels  Antoinette  and  Patty,  were  vulgar  rumours,  completely  des- 
titute of  foundation,  &c.  See  the  New- York  Medical  Repository,  2d 
edition,  vol.  I.  pa^e  439  and  121. 

X 


i6% 

exposed  to  an  ardent  sun.  At  New-York,  for  in- 
stance, Dr.  R.  Bayley  has  calculated,  that  to  fill  up 
the  dock,  between  the  Whitehall  and  Exchange-slip, 
twenty-four  loads  of  every  kind  of  filth,  including  even 
carcases  of  horses,  dogs,  &c.  were  used  in  one  year  ; 
whence  it  followed,  that  in  July,  the  stench  was  so 
powerful  in  the  neighbourhood,  as  to  excite  nausea 
and  vomiting,  the  precursors  of  the  epidemic,  espe- 
cially in  the  evenings. 

"  Sdly.  That  with  regard  to  the  course  of  the  sea- 
son, it  appeared  only  in  July,  August  and  Septem- 
ber ;  that  is  at  the  period  when  the  obstinate  and  in- 
tense heats  of  24®  or  25°  Reaumur,  (86*  or  88°  F.) 
excite  an  evident  fermentation  in  these  heaps  of  ani- 
mal and  vegetable  matter,  and  disengage  from  them 
miasmata,  which  every  thing  indicates  to  be  the  de- 
si  r  yers  of  health.     Tbesevpbysicians  have  remarked, 
tnat  the  epidemic  redoubled  its  fury,  if  the  weather 
r the  v  •  id  south-east, or  even  north-east : 
that  if  was  diminished  by  the  cold  and  dryness  of  the 
north-west  wind,   and  even  by  the  copious  rains  of 
ihe,soulh  west;  that,  in  the  difference  of  years,  the 
ted  those,  in  which  the  heats  of  summer 
e  dryness  and  calm  in 

;  air;  no  d.:ubl,  because  then  the  accumulated 
miasmata  exercised  a  more  powerful  action  on  the 
lungs,  and,  hy  their  means,  on  the  wiiole  circulation. 

"  Lastly.  They  have  demonstrated,  that  in  the 
choice  of  subjects,  it  attacks  in  preference",  the  badly 
fed  and  dirty  inhabitants  of  the  suburbs  and  quar- 
ters abounding  in  filth  and  marshes;  workmen  ex- 
posed to  the  heat  of  fire,  as  smiths  and  jewellers,  and 
those  who  were  addicted  to  spirituous  liquors,  ob- 
serving, that  frequently  the  Yellow  Fever  has  imme- 
diately succeeded  a  fit  of  drunkenness  ;  that  it  attacks 
also  more  particularly,  people  of  full,  sanguine,  ro- 
bust habits,  adults  of  warm  constitutions,  foreigners 


163 

from  northern  climates,  black?,  and  men  debilitated 
bv  libertinism :  that  it  spares  foreigners  from  hot  coun- 
tries, people  temperate  in  drinking,  and  more  parti- 
cularly in  eating;  and  those  who  are  in  easy  circum- 
stances, cleaniy  in  their  persons,  living  more  on  ve- 
getable than  animal  food,  and  residing  in  paved,  airy 
streets,  and  high  situations. 

.  "  Farther,  following  the  malady  even  to  the  places 
pointed  out  as  the  cradle  and  focus  of  its  origin,  they 
hare  demonstrated,  that  even  in  the  West-Indies, 
in  the  islands  of  Grenada,  Martinico,  St.  Domingo 
and  Jamaica,  the  Yellow  Fever  arose  only  where 
the  same  circumstances  were  combined;  that  it 
.shews  itself  only  in  certain  places,  and  particular 
years,  exactly  similar  to  the  cases  mentioned  in  the 
United  States;  that  places,  where  there  is  neither 
marsh  nor  filth,  as  St,  Kitt's,  St.  Vincent's,  Tobago, 
and J3arbadoes,  are  constantly  healthy;  that,  if  the 
fever  has  appeared  at  St.  George's,  in  Grenada,  and 
at  Fort  Royal,  in  Martinico,  it  was  at  the  careen- 
age, near  noisome  marshes,  and  at  a  time  when  a 
superabundance  of  vessels,  and  the  .extreme  dryness 
of  the  season,  had  contributed  to  the  deveiopement 
of  ferments;  that  if  its  appearance  in  the  cities  of 
New-York,  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia,  had  been 
owing  only  to  importation,  it  must  have  been  brought 
to  them  habitually,  from  Norfolk  and  Charleston, 
with  which  they  had  an  extensive  intercourse,  and 
where  the  combination  of  all  the  causes  above-men- 
tioned, rendered  it  almost  endemic  every  summer. 

({  The  facts,  on  which  these  conclusions  are  founded, 
are  dispersed  through  different  tracts,  published  from 
1795  and  1798,  the  time  when  I  left  the  United 
States."* 

*  See  the  report   of  the  physicians  of  Philadelphia   to  the  Go- 
vernor of  Pennsylvania ;  that  of  Dr.   Richard   Bayley  (q  the  Go- 


164 

«  It  is  impossible  to  read  them  attentively,  and  not 
he  struck  with  the  constant  harmony  and  corres- 
pondence, that  every  where  exist  between  the  pri- 
mary and  secondary  causes,  mediate  or  immediate, 
the  concomitant  circumstances  and  the  effects,  either 
isolated  or  combined  into  a  series.  Every  where  we 
find  the  fever  originating  and  increasing  in  the  com- 
pound ratio  of  the  heat  ol  the  atmosphere,  of  its  con- 
tinued dryness  or  temporary  humidity,  of  its  calm- 
ness, of  the  vicinity  and  extent  of  marshes,  and 
especially  of  the  accumulated  heaps  of  animal  mat- 
ter, forming  a  focus  of  putrefaction,  and  deleterious 
effluvia.  We  even  see  the  fevers  are  more  or  less 
violent  according  to  the  intensity  of  all  these  causes  :  if 
there  be  only  excess  ofh<  ai,  without  masses  of  pu- 
trefaction, and  without  marshes,  they  are  simply  of 
the  inflammatory  kind,  that  is  scarlatina  and  bilious 
\  without  any  complication  of  malignity ;  if  there 
be  muddy  ma  shes, unimpR;;nated  with  animal  matter 
the  miasmata  occasion  putrid  sore  throats,  the  se- 
vere bilious  vomitings  called  cholera  morbus ,  and 
destructive  dysenteries  :  if  to  these  be  added  accu- 
mulations of  putrefying  animal  matter,  the  disorder 
becomes  complicated  with  symptoms,  that  always 
denote  the  nervous  system  to  be  affected  by  a  kind 
of  poison  :  when  the  evil  is  at  its  maximum,  all  the 
ether  degrees  have  a  tendency  to  assimilate  with  it  ; 
whence  it  follows,  that  fevers  may  be  graduated  and 
measured  by  the  degrees  of  the  thermometer,  and 
intensity  of  putrid  miasmata ;  and  that  in  the  course 
of  the  same  summer  and  autumn,  we  may  follow 

vernor  of  New- York  ;  the  inquiry  into  the  Cause  of  the  Prevalence  of 
the  Yellow  Fever  in  New-York,  by  Dr.  Valentine  Seaman  ;  Dr.  Rush's 
Medical  Inquiries  and  Observations :  a  letter  from  Dr.  G.  Davidson, 
on  the  appearance  of  the  Yellow  Fever  at  Mavtinico  in  1796:  Origin 
of  the  Pestilential  Fever  that  prevailed  in  the  Island  of  Grenada  in 
1703  and  17.04  by  Dr.  E.  H.  Smith  ;  an  Inaugural  Dissertation  on  the 
Bilious  Ffevei  and  Dysentery  that  prevailed  in  Sheffield,  in  Massachu- 
setts, by  Dr.  W.  Buel  ;  anil  lastly  the  very  interesting  Collection  of 
Letters  on  the  Fevers  of  various  places,  published  by  Noah  Webster. 


165 

their  progress  and  affinity  from  simple  synocha,  to 
the  plague,  which  is  but  the  last  degree  in  the  scale, 
and  the  maximum  of  these  causes  united.     In  Such 
a  state  of  things  it  is  evident,  that  every  country 
where  heat  and  centres  of  putrefaction  are  united  to 
a  sufficient  degree,   will  be  capable  of  engendering 
all  these  diseases.     I  had  already  imagined,  that  I 
had  observed  in  Egypt  and  Syria,  a  heat  of  24°  ofj 
Reaumur,  (86  F.)  to  be  the  point  at  which  a  febrile 
disposition   and  commotion  of  a  destructive  ki:: 
denoted  by  the  term  of  malig?iant  freer  took  place 
in   the  blood  ;  and  it  was  with  surprise  and  plea- 
sure I  saw  the  same  opinion  had  been  suggested  to 
Dr.  G.  Davidson  at  Martinico,  by  similar  facts,  and 
that  he  thought  with  me,  that  setting  out  from  thflr 
degree,  equal  to  86°  of  Farenheir,  the  characters  of 
malignity  and  contagion  are  exalted  as  the  heat  rises, 
till  at  length  they  form  the  plague. 

"  Through  the  means  of  the  writings  and  facts  I 
have  quoted,  these  principles  have  acquired  such  a 
degree  of  evidence  in  the  United  States,  that  a  very 
great  majority  of  the  physicians  of  New-York,  Bos- 
ton, Baltimore,  Norfolk  and  Charleston,  have  joined 
in  declaring,  that  the  yellow  fever  might,  and  actu- 
ally did  arise  in  the  United  States.  The  college  of 
Philadelphia  alone  has  persisted  in  affirming  its  im- 
portation, and  this  opinion,  which  has  in  its  favour 
the  advantage  of  precedence  in  the  minds  of  the 
common  people,  will  long  have  partizans  in  every 
class,  from  several  very  potent  motives  :  as 

"  1st.  Because  it  flatters  national  vanity,  and 
many  persons  want  only  a  pretext,  to  authorise 
their  own. 

"  2d.  Because  it  favours  the  interest  of  jobbers  in 
the  sale  of  lands,  and  the  emigration  of  foreigners  to 
a  country  which  enjoys  the  privilege  of  not  engen- 


166 

d'ering  fever.  It  is  true  that  if  it  be  so  apt  to  receive 
it  by  innoculation,  the  case  is  almost  as  bad  ;  but 
the  partizans  of  its  importation  cannot  take  a  joke, 
and  I  have  found  many  Americans,  who  were  seri- 
ously put  out  of  temper  by  contradiction  on  this  sub- 
ject. 

"  3d.  Because  those  physicians  who  first  estab- 
lished this  belief,  are  so  engaged  by  self-love  or  sup- 
posed conviction,  that  they  have  almost  prohibited 
to  themselves  the  least  modification  of  it;  and  be- 
cause they  have  made  the  government  take  mea- 
sures so  decisive,  and  so  burdensome  to  commerce, 
Jthat  if  they  were  now  found  to  have  been  adopted 
Vithout  reason,  the  authors  would  infallibly  oc<  ur 
ill-will.  Yet  I  consider  those  offices  of  health  or 
lazarettos  in  the  ports  of  the  United  States,  as  a  wise 
institution,  particularly  in  the  American  trade  up  the 
Mediterranean,  and  in  the  Levant. 

"  4 tidy  and  lastly,  because  the  contagious  and 
almost  pestilential  character,  which  is  joined  with 
the  prejudice  of  importation,  very  happily  excuses 
the  want  of  success  of  those,  whose  patients  very 
seldom  recover. 

"  While  I  adopt  the  opinion  of  those  physicians 
who  consider  the  yellow  fever  as  an  indigenous  pro- 
duct of  the  United  States,  I  am  far  from  inculpating 
the  intention  of  those,  who  support  the  opposite  side 
of  the  question;  but  I  consider  the  doctrine  of  im- 
portation as  dangerous  and  imprudent,  both  on  ac- 
count of  the  dogmatic  and  intolerant  tone  it  has 
assumed  so  far  as  to  attack  domestic  liberty  and  se- 
curity, and  to  compromise  the  government ;  and  be- 
cause, in  urging  extravagant  external  measures,  it 
has  rendered  men  indifferent  to  internal  steps  of  far 
greater  necessity,  that  flow  directly  from  the  oppo- 
site opinion/ 


167 

"  As  to  the  question  of  its  contagious  character, 
I  can  neither  admit  the  absolute  negative  mentioned 
by  some  physicians,  nor  the  general  and  constant 
case  supposed  by  several  others.  The  latter  is  con- 
troverted by  too  many  incnntestibic  facts ;  and  the 
former,  that  is,  the  negative,  seems  to  me  inconsistent 
with  the  very  origin  of  the  disorder ;  for  if  marsh 
miasmata  and  putrid  matter  possess  the  property  of 
exciting  it,  surely  a  fortiori^  the  miasmata  of  an  in- 
fected hum£n  body  must  have  this  quality,  their  affi- 
nity with  the  living  fluids  being  much  greater.  Ac- 
cordingly, it  was  remarked  in -Philadelphia  in  1797> 
that  several  families,  in  returning  from  the  country 
to  their  houses  in  town,  in  which  some  persons  had 
been  sick  or  died,  without  taking  care  to  purify  it 
from  infection,  were  immediately  seized  with  the  dis- 
order, notwithstanding  the  weather  wras  cold,  and  it 
bad  disappeared.  At  Norfolk,  it  was  still  a  more 
general  remark,  that  they  who  had  removed  from 
1  city,  were  more  exposed  to  catch  the  disorder, 
T  they  who  remained  constantly  in  its  atmos- 
e;  and  this  case  corresponds  with  that  of  stran- 
gers, particularly  from  the  north,  who  were  ob- 
served at  Philadelphia,  New- York,  &c.  to  be  parti- 
cularly liable  to  attack. 

"  The  men  of  theory  endeavour  to  explain  this 
singularity  by  saying,  that  strangers  are  more  sus- 
ceptible of  the  fever  in  consequence  of  a  superabun- 
dance of  oxygen  being  infused  into  the  biodtj,  by  the 
purer  air  of  Europe  or  the  country.  But  not  to  men- 
tion that  this  superabundance  of  oxygen  is  merely 
hypothetical,  the  ideas  we  have  of  oxygen  gas,  essen- 
tially conducive  to  health,  are  so  contrary  to  it,  that 
we  have  a  right  to  demand  stronger  proofs ;  and  to 
assert,  as  they  do,  that  oxygen  is  more  abundant  in 
low  situations  than  high,  is  a  new  supposition  in  che- 
mistry, so  much  the  less  admirable,  as  the  most 
learned  chemists  in  Europe  consider  the  contrary  as 


168 

proved.  It  is  not  oxygen,  that  their  experiments 
have  shewn  them  to  be  disengaged  from  marshes  and 
putrid  matters,  but  carbon,  hydrogen  and  azot :  it 
even  appears,  that  the  combination  of  the  first  two 
of  these  gasses,  has  the  specific  property  of  generat- 
ing intermitting  and  remitting  fevers?  and  that  these 
do  not  become  putrid,  but  by  the  addition  of  azot  tw 
the  compound. 

"  Farther  study,  no  doubt,  will  unfold  the  action 
of  all  these  morbific  gasses  ;  at  present  the  best  indi- 
cations of  cure  appear  to  lie  :  1st.  to  counteract  the 
inflammation,  which  is  the  first  stage  of  the  disorder, 
by  diluents  and  refrigerants  ;  perhaps  baths  of  such 
a  temperature  as  to  excite  a  slight  shivering*  would 
be  among  the  most  efficacious  employed  on  the  first 
suspicion  of  the  disorder  and  continued  for  eight  or 
ten  hours.  I  leave  it  to  the  masters  of  the  art  to  de- 
cide on  very  cold  baths  even  near  the  freezing  point, 
from  which  some  American  physicians  assert,  they 
have  obtained  good  effects  :  it  is  certain,  that  in  eases 
of  phrenzy,  they  have  sometimes  effected  astonishing 
cures;  but  the  period  of  their  application  has  a  deci- 
sive influence,  since  their  effect  in  the  inflammatory 
stage  is  very  different  from  what  it  would  be  in  the 
succeeding.  The  remedies  employed  against  aphixy 
too  irtay  be  of  use,  since  deleterious  gasses  appear 
to  act  a  part  in  the  disease.  The  essential  object  is, 
to  prevent  inflammation  from  increasing  to  such  a 
degree,  as  to  decompose  the  fluids;  for  in  this  case, 
nothing  can  prevent  the  disorder  from  running  thro' 
all  its  three  stages.  Accordingly,  the  first  few  hours 
are  decisive,  and  require  all  the  celerity  possible: 
and  in  them,  taking  away  blood  in  small  quantities, 
may  be  of  great  utility.     An  all  powerful  preserva- 


*  Of  10°  or  15°  (55w  or  60°  F.)  according  to  the  feelings  of  the 
patient. 


169 

tive  is  the  most  rigid  abstinence,*  with  aqueous 
drinks,  as  soon  as  a  sensation  of  heaviness  is  felt,  with 
lassitude  and  loss  of  appetite ;  and  it  must  be  conti- 
nued strictly  two  or  three  days,  till  the  calls  of  hun- 
ger return,  and  both  mind  and  body  resume  their 
wonted  alacrity. 

"  With  regard  to  general  preservatives  applicable 
to  the  cities  of  the  United  States,  these  depend  on 
the  central  government,  and  consist, 

"  1st.  In  regulating  the  strictness  of  quarantine, 
as  well  authenticated  cases  of  disorders  imported  in 
ships  may  require.  Vessels  from  the  Mediterranean 
demand  most  attention. 

"  2d.  In  prohibiting  the  abuse  of  the  pretended 
right  of  property,  and  of  the  liberty  of  individuals, 
who,  in  the  vicinity,  nay  even  in  the  heart  of  great 
cities,  fill  up  low  grounds  with  filth  and  even  carrion. 
The  Americans  boast  of  their  cleanliness  ;  but  I  can 
assert,  that  the  quays  of  New-York  and  Philadelphia, 
with  certain  parts  of  the  suburbs,  exceed,  in  public 
and  private  nastiness,  any  thing  I  ever  beheld  in  Tur- 
key, where  the  air  has  the  advantage  of  salubrious 
dryness. 

"  3d.  In  establishing  regulations  of  police,  hither- 
to unadopted  or  neglected,  for  the  paving  of  the 
streets,  suburbs,  and  even  the  hearts  of  cities.  It  has 
been  observed  in  Europe,  that  the  great  epidemics 
of  Paris,  Lyons,  London,  and  other  very  populous 
cities,  have  ceased  since  the  establishment  of  a  gene- 
ral and  regular  pavement. 


u  4th.  In  preventing  any  stagnant  water,  accu- 

*  See  an  excellent  paper  on  the  Effects  of  Abstinence  at  the  ap- 
proach of  Acute  Diseases,  by  Edward  Miller,  M.  D.  New-York  Me* 
dical  Repository,  2d  edition,  vol.  I.  page  187. 

Y 


170 

initiation  of  putrid  matters  *  in  removing  from  the 
heart  of  cities,  extensive  burying-grounds,  the  pesti- 
lential use  of  which  is  generally  retained  with  super- 
stitious respect.  Philadelphia*  has  four  vast  ceme- 
teries in  the  handsomest  quarter  of  the  city,  of  the 
smell  of  which,  I  was  very  sensible  in  the  summer, 
and  it  has  not  one  walk  planted  with  salutary  ver- 
dure. 

cc  5th.  In  obliging  the  cities  to  wall  and  pave 
their  privies,  which,  in  their  prevent  state,  commu- 
nicate so  directly,  through  a  sandy  soil,  with  the 
wells,  equally  left  destitute  of  wails,  that  on  the  melt- 
ing of  the  snow  in  winter,  and  during  the  droughts 
of  summer,  the  water  in  both  may  be  seen  to  assume 
the  same  level.  It  is  so  true,  that  the  water  drank 
in  the  lower  parts  of  the  city,  (Philadelphia)  receives 
filtrattons  from  the  cemeteries  and  privies,  that  in 
Front-street,  I  found  the  water  in  my  decanters  be- 
come ropy,  if  kept  three  days  in  the  month  of  May, 
and  at  length  acquire  a  cadaverous  stench. 

"  Lastly,  the  government,  while  it  directs  the  at- 

*  if  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  there  be  four  vast  cemeteries  in  the 
handsomest  quarter  of  the  city,  there  are  of  cemeteries  of  one  sort  or 
another  in  the  thick  settled  part  of  the  city  of  New-York  not  less  than 
eighteen,  hi  a  letter  which  was  written  to  me,  November  24th,  1798, 
by  Dr.  Samuel  L.  Mitohill,  who  is,  at  present,  one  of  our  representa- 
tives in  the  senate  of  the  United  States,  and  which  was  afterwards  pub- 
lished in  my  "  account  of  the  Malignant  Fever"  of  that  year,  he  makes 
this  observation.  **  It  deserves  to  be  mentioned,  that  human  carcases, 
buried  and  accumulated  for  a  long  series  of  years,  have  poisoned  the  air 
in  many  parts  of  Christendom,  and  that  by  the  concurrence  of  both  mu- 
nicipal and  spiritual  authority,  the  practice  of  interring  in  cities  and 
churchyards  has  been  absolutely  prohibited  in  many  parts  of  Italy, 
on  account  of  the  horrid  mischiefs  occasioned  thereby.  Although  the 
evil  has  not  grown  to  such  an  alarming  height  amongst  ourselves  at  this 
/  day,  vet  it  is  certainly  worthy  of  consideration  whether  it  would  not  be 
tetter' at  once  for  christians  to  discard  the  superstition,  which  leads  to 
{his  practice,  and  imitate  the  Jews  and  Mahometans  in  conveying  their 
carrion  entire!'/  out  of  town,  and  burying  it  in  places  remote  from  the 
habitations  of  the  living.  A  regard  for  the  preservation  of  posterity,  as 
well  as  our  own  present  and  personal  security,  imposes  on  us  the  adop- 
tion of  some  decisive  measures  upon  this  head." 


171 

tention  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States  to 
these  objects  of  domestic  concern,  should  promote 
their  being  properly  instructed,  with  respect  to  one 
of  the  most  essential  and  most  radical  causes  of  all 
their  diseases ;  I  mean  their  dietic  regimen,  which, 
in  consequence  of  their  origin,  they  have  derived  from 
the  English  and  Germans.  I  will  venture  to  say, 
that  if  a  prize  were  proposed  for  the  scheme  of  a  regi- 
men most  calculated  to  injure  the  stomach,  the  teeth, 
and  the  health  in  general,  no  better  could  be  invent- 
ed than  that  of  the  Americans.  In  the  morning,  at 
breakfast,  they  deluge  their  stomachs  with  a  quart 
of  hot  water,  impregnated  with  tea  or  so  slightly  with 
coffee,  that  it  is  merely  coloured  water ;  and  they 
swallow,  almost  without  chewing,  hot  bread  half 
baked,  toast  soaked  in  butter,  cheese  of  the  fattest 
kind,  slices  of  salt  or  hung  beef,  ham,  &c.  all  which 
are  nearly  insoluble.  At  dinner,  they  have  boiled 
pastes,  under  the  name  of  puddings,  and  the  fattest 
are  esteemed  the  most  delicious ;  all  their  sauces, 
even  for  roast  beef,  are  melted  butter ;  their  turnips 
and  potatoes  swim  in  hog's  lard,  butter  or  fat ;  under 
the  name  of  pie  or  pumpkin,  their  pastry  is  nothing 
but  a  greasy  paste,  never  sufficiently  baked  ;  to  di- 
gest these  vicious  substances,  they  take  tea  almost 
instantly  after  dinner,  making  it  so  strong,  that  it  is 
absolutely  bitter  to  the  taste;  in  which  state  it  affects 
the  nerves  so  powerfully,  that  even  the  English  find 
it  brings  on  a  more  obstinate  restlessness  than  coifee. 
Supper  again  introduces  salt  meats  or  oysters ;  as 
Chateleux  says,  the  whole  day  passes  in  heaping  in- 
digestions on  one  another;  and  to  give  tone  to  the 
poor  relaxed  and  wearied  stomach,  they  drink  Ma- 
deira, rum,  French  brandy,  gin,  or  malt  spirits,  which 
complete  the  ruin  of  the  nervous  system." 

After  some  further  observations  respecting  the  diet 
of  the  Americans,  much  to  the  same  purport  with 
the  preceding,  our  author  goes  on  thus  :    cc  It  is  so 


172 

true,  that  their  regimen  is  one  of  the  grand  predis- 
posing causes  of  disease,  and  of  the  Yellow  Fever, 
that,  in  the  height  of  the  epidemics,  a  single  case  ne- 
ver appeared  within  the  confines  of  the  prison  at  Phi- 
ladelphia;* and  this  evidently  because  the  system  of 
diet  there,  is  regulated  by  a  scale  of  temperature, 
affording  no  opportunity  for  overloading  the  stomach, 
and  consequently,  for  a  depravation  of  the  fluids. 
The  abuse  of  spirituous  liquors,  in  particular,  is  to- 
tally banished  from  this  admirable  establishment." 
i-  i  .  i  .     i       i   ■       I.  n 

*  It  is  remarkable,  that  during  the  different  seasons,  in  which  th« 
city  of  New- York  has  been  afflicted  with  Pestilential  Fever,  the  Alms 
House,  Debtors'  Apartment,  Bridewell  and  State  Prison  have  almost 
been  totally  exempt  from  that  calamity ;  and  that  when  any  solitary 
case  of  such  fever  has  occurred  in  either  of  these  buildings,  it  does  not 
appear  even  in  a  single  instance,  that  the  disease  has  been  communica- 
ted from  one  to  another.    Note  or  the  Editor. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

OF  THE  SITUATION  OF  THK  CONVICTS  IN  THE  STATE-PRISON, 
WITH  RESPECT  TO  HEALTH,  DURING  THE  LAST  SUMMER. 

UPON  this  subject,  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  ad- 
vance any  thing  more  satisfactory  than  the  following 
official  report  of  the  physicians  of  that  institution  to 
the  Board  of  Inspectors. 

"  Gentlemen, 

"  The  undersigned,  to  whom  was  referred  the  re- 
quest of  the  Board  of  Inspectors  of  the  State-Prison, 
to  be  informed  of  the  causes  of  the  great  expence  of 
the  Hospital  Department  in  that  Institution,  during 
the  present  year,  and  of  all  such  other  things  relative 
to  the  health  of  the  convicts,  as  it  may  be  important 
to  communicate,  beg  leave  to  report : 

u  That  it  appears  from  inspecting  the  books  of  the 
prison,  that  from  the  19th  of  May,  to  the  26th  of 
November,  391  persons  were  admitted  into  the  Hos- 
pital, which  is  a  greater  number  than  has  been  for- 
merly admitted,  in  the  course  of  a  year.  The  num- 
ber of  patients  will  therefore  explain  the  correspond- 
ing increase  of  the  expences  of  the  Hospital. 

"  In  order  to  account  satisfactorily  for  the  remark- 
able augmentation  of  the  number  of  the  sick,  it  will 
be  necessary  to  recollect  the  peculiarly  morbid  con- 
stitution of  the  atmosphere,  which  prevailed  during 
the  late  summer  and  autumn,  not  only  in  the  city  of 
New- York,  but  in  a  great  number  of  other  parts  of 
the  state. 

"  The  effects  of  this  condition  of  the  atmosphere, 
were  clearly  manifested,  not  only  in  the  appearance 


174 

of  an  unusually  great  number  of  cases  of  fever,  mrfiich 
from  the  beginning  of  July  till  the  middle  of  October, 
amounted  to  forty-three,  but  likewise  in  the  great 
number  of  cases  of  dysentery,  diarrhoea,  cholera  and 
colic,  all  of  which  have  a  near  relation,  and  frequently 
arise  from  different  modifications  of  the  same  cause. 

H  There  is  proof  also  of  the  remarkably  unhealthy 
state  of  the  atmosphere,  in  the  singular  disposition  to 
diseases,  sometimes  light  and  transient,  as  well  as 
more  severe,  which  existed  throughout  the  months  of 
July,  August,  September  and  October. 

<c  And  whoever  calls  to  mind  the  remarkable  heat 
and  drought  of  July  and  August,  will  have  little  he- 
sitation in  considering  it  as  a  remarkable  season,  and 
little  difficulty  in  understanding  how  such  a  condition 
of  atmosphere  should  be  likely  to  convert  into  poison, 
all  the  filth  and  putrifying  matters  which  may  be 
collected  in  and  about  an  institution,  which,  from  the 
increased  number  ©f  convicts,  has  become  so  popu- 
lous and  crowded. 

*c  This  view  of  the  subject  is  also  confirmed  by  the 
occurrence  of  two  cases  of  the  malignant  disease  po- 
pularly called  the  Yellow  Fevery  in  the  month  of 
August. 

fC  The  first  case,  that  of  Frederick  Crater,  com- 
menced at  Bridewell  on  the  10th  of  August,  with 
symptoms  of  bilious  colic,  which  frequently  precede 
the  characteristic  appearances  of  Yellow  Fever,  and 
he  died  on  the  fourth  day  of  his  disease,  with  decided 
marks  of  malignancy,  and  among  the  rest,  with  the 
appearances  of  black  vomit. 

"  The  second  case,  to  which  we  refer,Twas  that  of 
William  Webby  who  was  seized  with  fever  on  the 
12th  of  August,  the  day  before  the  admission  of 


175 

Crater,  and  who  exhibited  during  his  illness  in  the 
marked  affection  of  his  stomach,  the  discolouration 
of  his  skin,  and  in  several  other  appearances,  indu- 
bitable evidence  of  labouring  under  Yellow  Fever.* 

"  It  is  true,  that  some  hesitation  and  unwillingness 
were  shewn  at  the  time  to  pronounce  decisively  on 
the  first  case  ;  this  arose  from  the  early  occurrence 
of  the  case,  and  an  extreme  disinclination  to  disturb 
the  public  tranquillity,  by  any  suggestions  of  the  ex- 
istence of  malignant  fever.  The  events,however,  which 
soon  afterwards  disclosed  themselves  in  the  cit v,  left  no 
room  for  doubt  of  the  nature  of  these  cases  in  the 
mind  of  any  reasonable  person. 

"  It  deserved  to  be  remarked,  that  'the  circum- 
stances of  the  cases  preclude  ail  suspicion  of  their  hav- 
ing infected  one  another,  or  of  the  disease  having 
arisen  from  any  foreign  or  contagious  source. 

"  And  it  is  interesting  to  observe,  that  the  testimo- 
ny in  favour  of  the  home-bred  origin  of  our  pestilen- 

*  At  the  time  Webb  was  sick,  there  were  rive  or  six  others,  who  were 
ill  of  Typhus  Fever.  These  were  all  taken  to  the  gallery  of  the  chapel, 
jn  which  situation  they  enjoyed  an  air  so  pure,  that  it  could  not  be  ex- 
ceeded in  many  places  of  the  island  ;  and  in  order  that  all  fear  of  infec- 
tion or  contagion,  from  the  case  of  Webb,  might  be  removed  from  the 
minds  of  the  convicts,  he  was  placed  in  a  small  wooden  building  erected 
for  the  purpose,  at  a  distance  as  far  as  practicable,  from  the  prison  ;  but 
within  the  walls.  He  was  visited,  during  his  illness,  by  many  physi- 
cians ;  by  most  of  whom,  his  case  was  pronounced  to  be  Yellow  Fever, 
whilst  the  others  seemed  to  hesitate,  with  respect  to  the  name,  which 
should  be  given  to  the  disease.  All,  however,  agreed  that  his  case  was 
so  very  dangerous,  as  to  leave  very  little,  if  any,  hopes  of  his  recovery. 
But  owing  to  the  unceasing  attention  of  his  physicians,  he,  at  last,  got 
better. 

In  adverting  to  the  above  circumstances,  I  should  do  injustice  to  my 
own  feelings,  as  well  as  to  the  cause  of  truth,  if  I  did  not  record  to  the 
honour  of  the  Board  of  Inspectors  and  medical  gentlemen  of  the  State- 
Prison,  that  I  was  in  no  place,  during  the  epidemic  of  the  last  or  forrref 
years,  where  I  found  the  sick  treated  with  more  tenderness,  care  and 
humanity,  than  in  this  institution;  to  which  I  may,  likewise,  add,  (hat 
as  soon  as  they  began  to  be  in  a  state  of  convalescence,  every  necessary 
which  it  was  supposed,  could  be  conducive  to  their  recovery,  was  libe- 
rally allows!  to  them.    Editor. 


476 

tial  disease  receives  no  small  degree  of  confirmation 
from  the  occurrence  of  these  cases  in  a  situation  so 
entirely  inaccesable  to  imported  contagion. 

"  After  this  instance  of  the  appearance  of  so  many 
cases  of  fever  in  the  State  Prison,  during  the  course 
of  one  season,  and  the  malignant  and  alarming  as- 
pect of  some  of  them,  it  would  be  improper,  on  the 
present  occasion,  to  omit  recommending  to  the  board 
of  inspectors,  an  incessant  attention  to  all  the  means 
cf  cleanliness  and  ventilation  in  the  prison,  and  as 
much  indulgence  of  the  prisoners  in  the  benefit  of 
exercise  and  fresh  air  as  the  nature  and  objects  of 
the  institution  will  allow. 

"  All  which  is  respectfully  submitted  by  the  Board 
ofPhysicians. 

RICHARD  L.  WALKER, 
NICHOLAS  I.  QUACKENBOS. 

New-York,  December  4,  1805. 

The  Inspectors  of  the  ) 
Stale  Prison."       > 


CHAPTER  VII. 

DESULTORY    OBSERVATIONS   AND    REFLECTIONS, 

IN  adverting  to  the  different  tables,  which  have 
been  published,  in  the  preceding  part  of  this  work, 
and  in  reflecting  upon  various  occurrences  which  took 
place  during  the  prevalence  of  the  late  epidemic, 
several  observations  present  themselves  to  the  mind, 
which,  it  is  thought,  may  be  deemed  interesting  to 
the  public  in  general,  particularly  as  they  are  not  ad- 
vanced for  the  purpose  of  supporting  any  one  theory, 
but  merely  with  a  view  to  state  facts,  from  which  the 
intelligent  reader  can,  at  leisure,  draw  his  own  con- 
clusions. 

In  the  first  place,  the  record  of  deaths  kept  at  the 
Marine  Hospital,  and  published  in  page  111  of  this 
pamphlet,  will  shew,  that  six  persons,  viz.  Christo- 
pher Hibbron,  James  Dougherty,  Isabella  Adams, 
Mrs.  Pflfer,  Andrew  Stayley,  and  Daniel  Young, 
who  were  sent  from  this  city  to  the  Marine  Hospi- 
tal, died  of  Malignant  Fever,  previous  to  any  person 
being  sent  thither  from  any  of  the  shipping.  Two 
other  persons,  viz.  William  Aylesbury,  and  James 
Kirkwood,  had,  likewise,  been  sent  down,  ill  of  the 
same  disease,  previous  to  the  30th  day  of  August, 
when  Joshua  Haines,  of  the  snow  Mehitabel,  who 
was  the  first  seaman  infected  with  the  fever  this  sea- 
son, was  lodged  in  the  hospital,  leaving  an  interval 
of  forty-three  days,  between  the  time  that  Hibbron 
was  sent  down,  viz.  on  the  18th  of  July,  and  the  re- 
moval of  Haines,  on  the  29th  of  August.  Aylesbury 
and  Kirkwood  recovered. 

2d.  Mr.  James  Dougherty,  who  was  removed 
from  No.  128  Water-street,  to' the  Marine  Hospital, 
©n  the  30th  of  July,  on  which  day,  he  likewise  died, 

z 


17* 

-teas  reported  by  all  the  physicians  who  saw  him,  to 
labour  under  the  most  decided  symptoms  of  Yellow 
Fever.  He  was,  at  least,  visited  by  six  physicians : 
his  two  female  cousins  were  constant  in  their  atten- 
tion towards  him,  during  his  illness.  Messrs.  Moore 
and  Story,  as  also  the  servants  of  the  house,  frequent- 
ly saw  him,  nor  did  several  of  his  friends  forsake  him. 
My  brother  as  well  as  myself,  were,  likewise,  present 
at  the  time  of  his  removal,  and  assisted  in  carrying 
him  down  stairs.  It  is  remarkable,  however,  that 
no  one  r{  those  who  had  intercourse  with  him,  cer- 
tainly not  less  than  twenty  in  number,  exclusive  of 
the  boatmen,  who  carried  him  down  to  the  island, 
received  the  least  infection  or  contagion. 

3d.  John  Pelsue,  who  died  at  the  house  of  his  mo- 
ther, ]Mo.  4  Church-street,  on  the  5th  of  September, 
Is  supposed  by  some,  to  have  caught  his  sickness  at  the 
place  where  he  worked,  viz.  at  the  office  of  the  Daily 
Advertiserjower  end  of  Pine-street,  while  his  mother 
imagines,  that  it  proceeded  from  a  cold  which  he  had 
caught,  in  going  down  into  a  cistern,  a  few  days  pre- 
vious to  his  indisposition.  But  whatever  might  have 
occasioned  his  disease,  physicians  who  espouse  the 
theory  of  importation,  as  well  as  those  who  believe  in 
the  doctrine  of  local  origin,  were  equally  positive  in 
asserting  that  it  was  Yellow  Fever.  He  too  was  vi- 
sited by  many  physicians  and  others.  His  mother 
and  sister  were  incessant  in  their  attendance  towards 
bun,  and  a  member  of  my  family  sat  up  with  him  the 
last  night  of  his  life.  Certainly  not  less  than  twenty 
persons  had  free  and  repeated  intercourse  with  him, 
during  his  illness;  no  one  of  whom  was  attacked  by 
Malignant  Fever,  during  the  season. 

4tb.  I  think  there  can  be  no  doubt,  that  the  case 
of  Isabella  Adams,  a  black  woman,  who  was  moved 
to  I  he  Marine  Hospital,  from  the  corner  of  Green- 
wich and  Chamber-streets,  on  the  7th  of  August, 


179 

•was  decidedly  Yellow  Fever,  The  circumstances 
respecting  this  woman's  case,  so  far  as  they  have  have 
come  to  my  knowledge,  are  as  follow  :  On  the  even- 
ing of  the  6th  of  August,  between  the  hours  of  nine  and 
ten,  a  gentleman  called  at  my  hotise,  with  informa- 
tion, that  he,  as  well  as  his  neighbours,  were  greatly 
alarmed,  with  respect  to  a  black  woman,  who  had 
been  sick  for  several  days,  without  medical  assistance, 
and  who  was  grenerally  believed  to  labour  under  Ma- 
lignant  Fever.  I  immediately  went  to  the  cellar  in 
which  she  lay,  and  as,  after  the  most  critical  exami- 
nation, of  which  I  was  capable,  I  was  apprehensive, 
that  the  fears  of  my  informant  were  well  founded,  I 
forthwith  communicated  my  suspicions  to  the  Resi- 
dent Physician,  wrho,  notwithstanding  the  lateness  of 
the  hour,  accompanied  me  to  the  place,  and  gave 
directions  for  her  removal  to  the  Marine  Hospital,  at 
as  early  an  hour,  as  should  be  practicable.  To  com- 
ply with  this  order,  Mr.  Delamater,  together  with 
myself,  went  to  the  house  next  morning  at  day-break, 
where  we  found  the  poor  creature,  oppressed  with 
black  vomit,  and  otherwise  so  extremely  low,  as  to 
render  the  propriety  of  sending  her  off,  somewThat 
questionable.  When,  however,  we  observed  the  cool- 
ness of  the  morning,  the  serenity  of  the  sky,  and  that 
the  wind  and  tide  were  both  favourable,  we  were 
persuaded,  that  if  no  benefit  should  accrue  from  the 
passage,  it  was  impossible  that  she  could  sustain  any 
injury.  From  these  considerations,  therefore,  as  well 
as  to  remove  the  fears  of  the  neighbourhood,  she  was 
sent  to  the  Marine  Hospital,  where  she  died,  within 
a  tew  hours  after  her  arrival,  under,  as  I  have  ince 
been  informed,  by  the  Health- Officer,  the  most 
marked  and  unequivocal  symptoms  of  Yellow  Fever 
At  least  one  dozen  of  persons  visited  this  woman, 
previous  to  her  removal ;  none  of  whom,  if  we  except 
one,*  was  taken  sick  of  the  disorder.     It  ought  to  be 

*  A  few  days  after  this  woman's  removal,  Mr.  Delamater  was  taken 
tick  of  fever ;  but  that  he  caught  the  disease  of  her,  is  certainly  very 
problematical. 


ISO 

observed,  however,  that  in  this,  as  well  as  in  every 
other  instance  of  the  same  nature,  every  measure  of 
fumigation  and  cleanliness,  which  experience  had 
suggested,  was  uniformly  resorted  to. 

5th.  Of  the  numerous  persons  employed  at  the 
Marine  Hospital,  whether  as  physicians,  nurses, 
washer- women,  boatmen,  and  attendants  of  every 
description,  no  person  was  taken  sick  of  fever,  during 
the  whole  season;  nor  did  any  of  those  numerous 
persons,  who,  at  different  times,  went  down  to  Sta- 
ten- Island  as  passengers,  in  the  same  boat  with  the 
sick,  sustam  the  least  inconvenience.  All  the  pilots^ 
likewise,  who  were  employed  in  bringing  up  the  dif- 
ferent vessels,  continued  to  enjoy  an  uninterrupted 
state  of  good  health. 

6th.  Such  sick  persons  as  were  sent  down  to  the 
Marine  Hospital,  were,  in  general,  transported  from 
the  Whitehall-dock,  where  it  frequently  happened, 
that  they  were  obliged  to  remain  some  time  previous 
to  the  sailing  of  the  boat.  No  person  in  that  vici- 
nity, however,  was  afflicted  with  fever,  till  the  19th 
of  September,  whem  a  man  was  attacked  with  it,  who 
resided  at  the  corner  of  Whitehall  and  Front-street. 
He  soon  afterwards  recovered. 

7th.  The  City  Inspector,  who  daily  visited  the  sick 
at  Bellevue,  and  spent  considerable  time  amongst 
them,  enjoyed  an  uninterrupted  state  of  good  health, 
during  the  whole  season.  The  physicians,  nurses, 
washer-women,  and  attendants  of  every  description, 
were  all,  in  the  like  manner,  exempt  from  disease; 
and  this  is  the  more  remarkable,  as  there  was  nothing 
more  common  with  the  nurses,  that  when  fatigued, 
to  rest  on  the  same  beds  with  those  who  were  in  the 
last  stage  of  the  disorder.  The  hearsemen,  likewise, 
who  were  employed  in  the  dangerous  business  of  re- 
moving the  afflicted  and  interring  the  dead,  were  ne- 


181 

ver  infected  with  the  disease,  either  during  the  last 
season,  or  any  other  season  of  Pestilential  Fever.  To 
this  may  be  added,  that  my  brother,  as  well  as  my- 
self, were  constantly  amongst  the  sick,  as  was  also 
Mr.  Delarnater,  immediately  after  his  recovery,  yet 
we  were  not  infected  with  the  fever. 

8th.  The  three  clenrvmen  of  the  Roman  church, 
viz.  the  Reverend  Dr.  William  O'Brien,  the  Reve- 
rend Dr.  Mathew  O'Brien,  and  the  Reverend  Mr. 
Hurley,  were  incessant  in  administering  spiritual 
consolation  to  the  sick  of  their  congregation,  nor  did 
they,  in  the  discharge  of  this  duty,  avoid  the  most  til- 
thy  cellars,  or  most  infected  places,  yet  none  of  them 
was,  in  the  least,  infected  with  lever,  during  the  sea- 
son. 

Qth.  Of  the  physicians,  who  occasionally  visited 
those  who  were  sick  of  the  epidemic,  there  could  not, 
at  the  most  moderate  computation,  be  less  than  sixty, 
no  one  of  whom,  so  far  as  I  know,  died,  or  was  even 
ill  of  Malignant  Fever.  Medical  gentlemen,  how- 
ever, did  not  fare  so  well,  during  the  dreadful  pesti- 
lence of  l? 98 a.  when  no  less  than  16  were  swept  oif 
in^flTJcharging  the  duties  of  their  profession,  viz.  Drs. 
Andrews,  Brooks.  D.  Chickering,  Dingley,  Peter 
Faugeres,  John  B.  Hicks,  John  B.  Jones,  Meicher 
Caldwell,  Lamb,  Millegan,  J.  B.  Scandeila,  Elihu 
H.  Smith,  Teller,  Tredwell,  Varick  and  Young. 

10th.  The  number  of  persons  who  were  occasion- 
ally employed  as  nurses,  certainly  exceeded  sixty. 
These,  however,  were  not  so  fortunate  as  the  physi- 
cians ;  four  of  them  having  fallen  victims  to  the  dis- 
ease, viz.  Sally  Bates,  Mary  Dunn,  Mrs.  Sells,  and 
Mrs.  Lloyd.  It  is  to  be  observed,  however,  with  re- 
spect to  these  four,  that  the  apartments  in  which  the 
sick  persons  lay,  whom  they  had  last  attended,  were 
low,  confined  and  ill  ventilated.     One  other  nurse 


is* 

was  taken  sick  -3  but  after  a  stay  at  Bellevue,  for  a  few 
weeks,  she  recovered. 

1 1th.  Upon  the  first  commencement  of  the  dis- 
ease, and  even  during  its  continuance,  a  number  of 
sick  persons  were  removed  from  the  infected  parts  of 
the  city  to  the  suburbs,  and  different  parts  on  the 
western  side  of  the  town.  But  it  is  not  recollected, 
that  any  evil  resulted  from  such  removal,  not  even  in 
a  solitary  instance. 

12th.  Agreeably  to  the  observations  which  I  have 
made  respecting  the  Malignant  Fever,  during  the 
last,  as  well  as  the  three  preceding  epidemics,  it  ap- 
pears that  no  age  or  sex  is  exempt  from  its  ravages, 
since  instances  can  be  adduced,  of  children  at  the 
breast,  being  affected  with  it,  as  well  as  persons  of 
seventy  years  and  upwards.  I  believe,  however,  that 
those  who  have  been  most  conversant  with  the  dis- 
ease, will  agree  in  opinion,  that  persons  between  the 
years  of  fourteen  and  forty,  are  more  obnoxious  to 
the  disorder,  than  they  of  any  other  age.  To  males 
it  is  likewise,  more  frequently  fatal  than  to  females; 
and  to  foreigners,  particularly  from  a  cold  climate, 
than  to  natives. 

13th.  Of  the  302  persons  who  are  stated  to  have 
died  of  Malignant  Fever,  in  the  city,  at  the  Marine 
Hospital,  and  at  Bellevue,  it  appears,  that 

88  were  natives  of  the  United  States. 


<57 

do 

do 

Ireland. 

21 

do 

do 

England. 

17 

do 

do 

Scotland. 

10 

do 

do 

Germany 

7 

do 

do 

France. 

7 

do 

do 

Wales. 

1 

do 

do 

Holland. 

183 

218  Brought  forward. 

1         do         do  Halifax,  and 

83  whose  places  of  nativity  were  not  properly 
ascertained. 

30$  Total. 

That  is,  88  natives. 

13  i  foreigners,  and 
83  whose  country  is  unknown. 


302  Total. 

Now,  if,  of  the  83  persons  whose  native  country  is 
not  ascertained,  there  should  be  the  same  proportion 
of  natives  and  foreigners,  as  of  those  whose  country 
we  know,  (and  this  is,  at  least,  highly  probable)  the 
total  amount  would  be, 

116  natives,  and 
186  foreigners. 


302 


15th.  Amongst  the  several  nuisances  which  exist 
in  this  city,  there  appears  to  be  none  of  a  more  seri- 
ous and  alarming  magnitude,  ti  an  the  allowing  o 
people  to  lodge  in  low,  damp  cehars.  Of  a  number 
of  persons  who  were  taken  sick  in  such  places,  there 
is  scarcely  a  single  instance  of  any  one  having  reco- 
vered, unless  speedily  removed  to  the  Marine  or 
Bellevue  Hospital,  or  to  some  other  place,  where  they 
could  enjoy  a  pure  and  salubrious  atmosphere. 

As  it  may  be  interesting  to  know  in  how  many 
houses  more  than  one  person  was  taken  sick  of  the 
epidemic,  the  following  list  is  subjoined,  which,  it  is 
believed,  will  be  found  tolerably  correct. 


134 

Christopher  Hibbron,*  William  Aylesbury,  James 

Kirkwood,* ;  Laughan  and  Andrew  Stayley,* 

from  the  rear  of  No.  92  Maiden-Jane. 

Mr.  John  Hyde/  Mrs.  Hyde,*  Mr.  John  Hodg- 
kiuson,*  and  Miss  Billington,  Tontine  Coffee- 
House. 

Paul  R.  Johnson*  and  John  Taylor,*  46  Cedar-st. 

William  Browning*  and  wife*,  90  Water-street. 

William*  and  Mary  Hunter,*  58  Front. 

Robinson  Hazard,*  Harriot  Robinson,*  and  Mary 
Covet*,  86  St.  James. 

Elizabeth  Snyder,*  Jane  M 'Donald,*  45  Nassau. 

John  and  Susan  Webster,  and  Horatio  Richardson,* 
156  Front. 

Nancy  Edwards  and  Rachel  Quere,  38  Lumber. 

Will  am  M'Lean,  George  Lewis,  and  Abraham  Mon- 
tagnie,  91  James. 

John  M 'Dew it*  and  wife,  Hannah  Houston,  James 
M'Dewit,*  (a  child)  and  Catharine  Beam,  IS 
Pearl. 

Mr.  Hoyt  and  wife,*  82  Liberty. 

Marian  Mills*  and  James  Malice,*  33  Ann. 

Mrs.  John  Pope  and  sister,  12  Dover. 

Daniel  Snythen*  and  Catharine  Tice,*  60  John. 

Mrs.  Deforest  and  son,*  13  Beekman-slip. 

Philip  Mahon  and  John  Hull,  91  Broadway. 

Hannah  Wilson,  James  Wooden,  and  Maria,  a  black 
woman,  45  Broad-street. 

Stephen  and  Jarvis  Powel,  95  Pearl. 

William  Rider*  and  William  Degraw,*  13  Barclay. 

Charles  Israel*  and  Mr.  Hull,  5  New-slip. 

Andrew*  and  Mary  Murray,*  100  William-street. 

Lawrance  Ennis  and  Eliza  Wheelan,*  4  Dover. 

Andrew  Kirkpatrick  and  wife,  6  Augustus. 

Jane  Murdock*  and  daughter,  28  Water. 

Phoebe  and  Mary  Fulkerson,  and  James  Bolen*,  5 
Moore. 

*  Those  marked  *  thus  died  of  the  distemper. 


185 

Richard  Tabele*  and  Mrs.  Tabele*,  corner  Nassau 

and  Fair. 
Mrs.  Cray*  and  George  Jeweson,  22  Garden. 
Mrs.  Sarah  Coles*  and  Miss  E.  Snow,  25  Water. 
Margaret  Baise-ly*  and  Deborah  Smith*  47,  Gold. 
Anthony  Dwyre*,  Margaret  Foley*,  and  James 

Cushing*,  7  Hague. 
Susan  and  Mary  Myers,  2  Beaver-lane. 
Jane  and  Margaret  Armstrong,  Mrs.  Moore,  and  a 

boy  10  years  old,  10  Depeyster-street. 
James  Fifer  and  Samuel  Bell,  359  Pearl. 
Tvvochildren  of  Mrs.  Tiebout,  35S  Pearl,  (one  died). 

15th.  There  is  reason  to  fear,  that  the  officious  in- 
terference of  friends  with  the  prescriptions  of  the  phy- 
sician, has  frequently  been  productive  of  the  most 
fatal  consequences  to  the  afflicted.  Of  several  m- 
*  stances  of  this  sort,  which  might  be  mentioned,  I 
shall  content  myself  with  one.  A  practitioner,  upon 
visiting  one  of  his  patients,  whom  he  found  considera- 
bly better,  and  as  he  had  reason  to  believe,  out  of 
danger,  on  leaving  the  house,  gave  directions  to  the 
attendants  to  persevere  in  the  observance  of  a  cooling 
regimen.  A  brother  of  the  sick  man,  however,  think- 
1  ing  that  a  more  speedy  cure  could  be  brought  about 
than  was  likely  to  be  effected  by  the  skill  of  the  doc- 
tor, and  having  heard  the  practice  of  sweating  highly 
recommended  in  cases  of  fever,  administered  to  the 
sick  man,  a  drink  so  hot,  that  he  complained  of  his 
mouth  and  throat  being  scalded,  as  he  swallowed  it. 
The  consequence  was,  that  instead  of  recovering,  as 
there  were  great  reason  to  expect,  he  died  within  a 
iew  hours  thereafter,  of  symptoms  highly  malignant. 
In  the  above,  as  well  as  in  other  cases  of  a  similar 
nature,  I  am  far  from  supposing,  that  persons  thus 
disobeying  the  directions  of  physicians,  were  actuated 
by  improper  motives.  To  say  the  least,  however, 
such  conduct  is  highly  injudicious ;  for  what  chance 
has  a  practitioner  of  being  useful  to  his  patient,  un- 
less hjs  prescriptions  be  attended  to,  or  indeed,  why 

a  a 


186 

send  for  one  at  all,  if  we  think  ourselves  wiser  than 
he,  and  are  determined  to  follow  no  more  of  his  ad- 
vice, than  coincides  with  our  own  ideas  of  propriety  ? 
And  may  not  the  great  proportion  of  recoveries, 
which  took  place  at  Bellevue,  of  those  who  were  sent 
thiiher  in  the  earl)  stage  of  the  disorder,  be  attribut- 
ed, at  least,  as  much  tu  the  care  which  was  taken, 
that  every  nurse  should  implicitly  follow  the  prescrip- 
tion of  the  physician,  as  to  the  salubrity  of  the  air,  or 
to  any  other  cause  whatever  ? 

16th.  There  is  one  observation  wrhich  appears  to 
me,  to  be  highly  deserving  the  attention  of  our  fellow 
citizens,  as,  if  it  should  be  duly  regarded,  it  may,  in 
the  case  of  a  future  epidemic,  be  the  means  of  saving 
a  number  of  lives.  As  soon  as  a  person  finds  himself 
indisposed,  in  a  calamitous  sea.son  of  this  kind,  he 
ought  Jorthzvilk  to  procure  the  assistance  of  a  skilful 
physician.  During  the  first  few  hours  of  the  disease , 
time  is  peculiarly  precious;  as  it  can  then  be 
generally  subdued  with  facility.  If,  however,  it  be 
permitted  to  acquire  an  ascendancy  before  medical 
aid  be  called  in,  (and  this,  alas  !  is  too  often  the  case) 
the  physician  lias  the  mortification  to  find  his  skill  oj 
but  little  use,  and  to  see  his  unhappy  patient  perish 
in  his  hands,  without  being  able,  in  the  least,  to  con- 
tribute towards  his  relief.  Ah  hough  the  justice  of 
this  remark  will  be  denied  by  no  person  of  reflection, 
yet  there  is  great  reason  to  believe,  that  there  are 
many  who  would  readily  have  subscribed  to  it,  now 
tenants  of  the  grave,  merely  because  they  did  not  at- 
tend to  it.  Delay,  where  expedition  is  of  such  im- 
mense importance,  is  certainly  highly  culpable,  par- 
ticularly as  the  corporation  of  this  city  have,  in  every 
season  of  pestilence,  humanely  made  provision  that 
the  poor  should  be  supplied  with  medical  aid  gratis. 

17th.  The  fears  of  several  of  the  poorer  and  more 
illiterate  part  of  the  community,  especially  foreigners, 


187 

of  being  removed  to  Bellevue,  was  very  remarkable, 
of  which  I  shall  mention  tne  following  instance.     I 
had,  one  morning,   fallen  in  with  a  man   sick  of  the 
disease,  in  a  low  cellar,  where  he  was,  in  a  great  mea- 
sure, destitute  of  every  comfort  and  convenience,  and 
I  was  informed  by  his  physician,   that  his   wife,  who 
had  only  been  a  short  time  in  the  country,  and  had 
never  seen  a  case  of  Malignant  Fever,  was  pursuing 
a  mode  of  treatment  diametrically  opposite  to  what 
he  prescribed.     As  from  every  thing  that  I  saw  and 
heard,  I  had  reason  to  fear,  that  the  man,  if  permit- 
ted to  remain  where  he  was,  would  die,  1  was  anxi- 
ous that  he   should  be  sent  to  Belleuie,  where   I 
thought  he  would  have  a  considerable  chance  of  re- 
covery.    With  a  view  to  induce  him  to  consent  to 
this  measure,  1  attempted  to  point  out  the  advan- 
tages which  1  believed  would  result  from  it,  and  was 
happy  to  find,  that  my  observations  had  the  desired 
effect,  as  he  expressed  himself  willing  to  go.     Mis 
wife,  however,  and  amther  female,  accosted  him  with 
tears,  in  a  language  which  1  did  not  understand,  the 
purport  of  which,  as  I  afterwards  learnt,  was  to  dis- 
suade him  from  his  intention;  but  to  this  he  still  ad- 
hered.    To  induce  his  wife  to  acquiesce,  1  informed 
her,  that   the  Board   would   be   pleased,  that  she 
should  accompany  him  ;  but  this  was  to  no  purpose. 
Finding  the  man,therefore,pe rfectly  reconciled,  1  re- 
quested that  the  sick  hearse  should  be  sent  for  him  ; 
but  still  apprehending  some  reluctance  on  the  part  of 
the  woman,  I  deemed  it  advisable  to  accompany  the 
drivers,  not  doubting  that  I  should  be  able  to  prevail 
upon  her  to  acquiesce  in  a  measure,  which  I  sincerely 
believed,  might  be  conducive  to  her  husband's  reco- 
very ;  but  what  was  my  surprize,  upon  opening  the 
door,  to  find  a  large  knife  presented  to  my  breast  ? 
As  I  had  no  serious  intention  of  resorting  to  coercive 
measures,  an  argument  much  less  cogent  would  have 
Certainly  induced  me  to  relinquish  my  design.     I, 
therefore,  left  the  place  with  the  gloomy  presentiment 
of  what  was  to  happen.  The  man  died  within  twen- 
ty hours  thereafter. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

OF   THE  VARIOUS   MODES   OF  CURE  ADOPTED  IN   THE 
MALIGNANT   FEVER. 

IN  a  disease,  which  has  been  so  peculiarly  fatal  to 
the  inhabitants  of  various  places  in  the  United  States, 
a  considerable  diversity  of  opinion,   as  might  natu- 
rally be  expected  has  existed  amongst  practitioners 
concerning   the  most  successful  mode  of  cure.     Su- 
dorifics,  the  copious  use  of  mercury,  and  excessive 
bleeding  have  each  had  their  respective  advocates  ; 
and  I  am  persuaded,  it  may  be  asserted  without  fear 
of  contradiction,  that  in  certain  cases  of  malignant 
fe\e\\  each  of  these  methods  has  been  severally  found 
to  be  productive  of  the  most  beneficial  consequences. 
To  any  one,  however,  who  has  been  much  conver- 
sant with  the  disease,  it  is  evident,  that  it  appears  in 
a  variety  of  different  forms.     Hence   that  mode  of 
treatment,  which,  in  one  instance,  might  effect  a  ra- 
dical cure,  might  in  another  of  the  very  same  disor- 
der, when  under  a  different  grade  and  modification, 
tend  greatly  to  aggravate  the  unfavourable  symp- 
toms and  terminate  in  a  speedy  dissolution.     The 
judicious  practitioner,  therefore,  in  prescribing  to  his 
patients,  is  less  influenced  by  the  name  of  the   dis- 
ease than  by  the  symptoms  and  circumstances  at- 
tending it.     These  he  will  examine  with  the  greatest 
care  and  attentiou,  arid  after  having  formed  his  opi- 
nion respecting  the  nature  of  the  case,  will  resort  to 
such  remedies  as  it  may  seem  to  require. 

After  having  introduced  these  preliminary  obser- 
vations, I  shall  lay  before  my  readers  Dr.  Currie's 
letter  to  Dr.  Hosack,  communicating  his  mode  of 
treating  the  disease,  the  observations  of  the  learned 
Dr.  Chisholm  of  Grenada,  relative  to  the  use  of  mer- 
curv,  and  some  observations  on  the  utility  of  blood 


189 

letting  in  Yellow  Fever,  from  the  first  volume  of  tie 
second  Hexade  of  the  Medical  Repository,  p.  193. 

From  Dr.  Currie  to  Dr.  Hosack. 

DEAR  SIR, 

"  Since  I  wrote  to  you  last,  I  have  inquired 
into  the  practice  of  the  physicians,  at  the  yellow 
fever  hospital  this  season,  and  find  that  after  em. 
ploying  mercury  in  a  few  of  the  first  cases,  without 
success,  they  entirely  abandoned  its  use,  except  in  a 
few  particular  instances,  and  then  they  combined  it 
with  some  purgative. 

"  They  seldom  employed  blood-letting,  even 
where  the  symptoms  seemed  to  indicate  it,  as  they 
seldom  received  their  patients  at  a  period  sufficiently 
early  to  make  it  advisable. 

"They  however,  used  purgatives  freely,  and  after 
their  operation,  in  recent  cases,  they  had  immediate 
recourse  to  the  warm  bath,  followed  by  large  and 
frequently  repeated  doses  of  acetated  pot-ash,  which 
they  preferred  to  acetated  ammonia,  and  the  liberal 
use  of  warm  diluting  drinks,  and  particularly  of  an 
infusion  of  expotorium,  which  you  have  so  highly  re- 
commended. 

"  When  these  means  produced  free  perspiration, 
with  an  alleviation  of  the  febrile  heat,  and  pain  of  the 
head  and  back,  the  disease  generally  came  to  a  speedy 
and  favourable  crisis  ;  but  when  the  symptoms  were 
aggravated  by  the  bath,  (and  in  some  particular  cases 
they  appeared  to  be  aggravated  by  it,)  they  spunged 
the  whole  surface  of  the  trunk  and  limbs  of  the  pati- 
ent, with  cold  water  and  vinegar,  with  the  happiest 
effect. 

"  In  the  second  stage  of  th-  disease,  when  disor- 
dered stomach  was  the  predominant  symptom,  after 


190 

due  attention  to  the  state  of  the  bowels,  they  em- 
ployed  the  bath  era  much  higher  temperature,  than 
in  the  preceding  stage,  and  immediately  after  its  use, 
they  applied  blisters  and  sinapisms  to  different  parts, 
and  especially  to  those  most  affected,  directing  at 
the  same  time  additional  covering,  and  such  mild 
palatable  drinks,  as  upon  trial  were  found  to  remain 
best  on  the  stomach.... When  the  patient  complain- 
ed of  a  burning  sensation  in  that  organ,  calcined 
magnesia  was  administered  in  large  doses,  and  fre- 
quently repeated,  and  when  the  bowels  were  not 
sufficiently  tree,  laxative  injections.  But  the  hot 
bath  followed  by  blisters  and  sinapisms,  extensively 
applied,  appeared  to  produce  the  most  beneficial 
effects. 

"  In  this  disordered  state  of  the  stomach,  however, 
when  these  remedies  failed,  they  had  recourse  to 
stimulating  injections,  particularly  to  the  spirits  of 
turpentine,  which  were  exhibited  mixed  with  a  suf- 
ficient quantity  of  warm  water,  from  half  an  ounce 
to  an  ounce  or  more,  and  repeated  at  short  intervals, 
till  they  occasioned  considerable  tenesmus,  after 
which,  the  stomach  generally  became  so  well  settled, 
as  to  retain  any  medicine  or  nutriment  that  was 
thought  necessary.  Perhaps  the  tincture  of  aloes 
would  have  been  still  more  effectual,  in  bringing  on 
this  counteracting  symptom,  than  the  turpentine. 

"  This  practice  which  was  prosecuted  with  that 
2eal  and  assiduity,  which  does  honour  to  the  human- 
ity of  the  physicians,  and  conducted  with  a  discri- 
mination which  does  credit  to  their  judgment,  has 
certainly  been  much  more  successful  than  that  of 
former  years  ;  for,  although  a  considerable  portion 
of  the  patients  were  admitted  in  the  last  stage  of  the 
disease,  and  consequently  in  a  hopeless  condition, 
nearly  two  thirds  recovered,  wmereas  in  former  years 
when  blood-letting  and  mercury  were  almost  exclu- 
sively "  the  order  of  the  day,"  more  than  half  died. 


191 

"  Marks  of  gangrene  were  seldom  observed  in  the 
stomachs  of  those  that  died,  though  preceded  by 
symptoms  which  strongly  indicated  its  existence  for 
some  time  before  the  decease  of  the  patient.  The 
black  matter  usually  found  in  the  stomach,  had  none 
of  the  characters  of  either  blood  or  bile,  for  white 
paper  dipt  into  it,  was  neither  stained  red,  purple, 
yellow,  nor  green,  but  appeared  like  it  does  wh^n 
dipt  in  the  fluid  of  a  gangrene.  Yet  from  the  extra- 
vasations of  blood,  which  always  appeared  on  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  surface  of  the  stomachs  of  those  who 
had  vomited  black  matter,  and  the  florid  and  exten- 
sive extravasation  observed  in  the  stomachs  of  some 
which  appeared  on  the  fourth  day  of  the  disease,  who 
had  not  only  thrown  up  very  black  but  flaky  matter, 
I  am  of  opinion  thatthe  dark  coloured  flaky  particles 
which  give  to  the  contents  of  the  stomach  the  ap- 
pearance of  coffee-grounds,  are  only  small  portions 
of  mucus,  coloured  by  the  dissolved  and  black  blood 
which  oozes  into  it. ...It  cannot  be  bile  altered  in  its 
colour,  in  consequence  of  a  morbid  state  of  the~se- 
cretory  vessels  of  the  liver,  because  those  vessels  are 
seldom  found  in  a  diseased  state,  and  because  the 
bile  in  the  gall-bladder,  generally  retains  its  natural 
colour,  nor  can  the  matter  which  resembles  coffee- 
grounds,  be  bile  changed  in  its  colour  and  proper- 
ties, after  its  entrance  into  the  stomach  ;  because 
this  appearance  is  often  found  in  the  stomachs  of  per- 
sons who  have  had  no  vomiting  at  all,  and  without 
some  vomiting,  or  at  least  some  efforts  to  vomit,  no 
bile  can  gain  admission  into  the  stomach. 

"  Nor  can  this  appearance  be  owing  to  portions 
of  the  abraded  villous  coat  of  the  stomach,  because 
ulcerations  are  seldom  observed,  without  which, 
or  the  existence  of  gangrene,  it  could  not  be 
abraded." 

The  following  is  the  opinion  of  the  learned  and 


192 

respectable  Dr.  Chisholm,  concerning  the  use  of 
mercury  in  this  disease.  In  his  Essay  on  the  Malig- 
nant Pestilential  fever,  introduced  into  the  West- 
India  Islands,from  Boullam,  on  the  coast  of  Guinea, 
as  it  appeared  in  1793,  1794,  1795,  and  1796,  second 
London  edition,  vol.  1,  page  351. 

"  I  was  encouraged"  says  he,  "  to  the  practice 
of  using  mercury  in  this  disease,  by  the  appearance 
I  perceived  in  the  two  first  bodies  I  opened. — 
"The  liver  was  evidently  the  most  diseased  part, 
and  I  knew  that  mercury  was  specific  in  all  inflam- 
mations of  that  organ ;  besides,  it  was,  at  all  events, 
better  to  try  a  doubtful  one,  than  remedies  of  no  effi- 
cacy. I  accordingly  administered  calomel,  either 
combined  with  nitre,  camphor,  and  the  antimonial 
powder,  or  in  the  form  of  a  pill.  After  many  trials 
of  both,  I  preferred  the  last,  chiefly  on  account  of 
the  nitre  and  camphor  disagreeing  with  the  sto- 
mach. The  pill  was  generally  composed  of  five 
grains  of  calomel,  two  of  the  antimonial  powder, 
and  one  of  opium,  and  repeated  four  times  in  the 
twelve  hours,  or  eight  in  the  twenty-four.  I  con- 
fess it  was  with  no  small  degree  of  anxiety, Iventured 
on  this  practice,  unwarranted  by  any  other  author- 
ity than  dissection  and  my  own  observation  ;  but 
its  success  justified  my  temerity.  If  salivation  was 
speedily  raised,  the  danger  was  removed,  and  the 
patient  recovered.  But  in  order  to  effect  this,  it 
was  frequently  necessary  to  increase  the  quantity, 
and  number  of  the  doses  ;  and  in  several  instances 
I  pushed  it  to  what  I  then  considered  an  almost  in- 
credible length,  with  astonishing  success.  In  one 
case,  in  particular,  in  whom  signs  of  recovery  did 
not  appear  till  the  twenty-first  day.,  fully  400  grains 
were  given  before  the  salivary  glands  were  affected. 

CCI  have  here  stated  my  practice,  and  the  extent 
I  thought  myself  warranted  to  carry  the  mercurial 


193 

treatment,  during  the  presence  or"  the  pestilence  in 
1793.  As  it  then  not  unfrequently  happened,  irom 
the  necessary  timidity  a  practitioner  feels  whoadopts 
a  new  remedy  in  the  treatment  of  one  of  the  most 
dangerous  and  destructive  maladies  the  human  frame 
is  subject  to,  that  that  remedy  was  not  always  push- 
ed to  the  length  which  secures  its  efficacy  :  so  on 
the  re-appearance  of  the  disease  in  1794,  I  was  de- 
termined to  give  calomel  earlier,  and  in  much  great- 
er quantity  than  the  preceding  year.  Accordingly, 
instead  of  preceding  the  administration  o\  this  excel- 
lent remedy,  with  the  usual  evacuating  medicines,  I 
began  with  it,  and  continued  without  the  interposi- 
tion of  any  other,  till  salivation  took  place.  The 
success  attending  this  practice,  exceeded  my  most 
sanguine  expectation  ;  so  great  indeed,  was  it,  that 
I  did  not  lose  a  single  patient  in  whose  case  it  was 
pushed  to  the  full  extent.  My  practice  will,  no 
doubt,  by  many,  be  considered  as  unwarrantably 
bold  \  but  as  its  wonderful  success  has  been  expe- 
rienced by  several  other  practitioners,-who  can  bear 
testimony  to  it,  I  feel  not  the  smallest  hesitation  in 
recommending  it  with  all  the  fervour  which  an  ear- 
nest wish  to  save  the  lives  of  men,  and  the  fullest 
conviction  of,  what,  I  am  almost  inclined  to  spy,  its 
infallibility  can  give  rise  to. 

"  My  mode  of  using  the  calomel  after  the  reap- 
pearance of  the  malignant  pestilential  fever  in  1794, 
was  to  give  ten  grains,  either  alone,  or  with  an  equal 
or  a  double  quantity  of  jalap,  to  an  adult  patient  as 
soon  as  possible  after  I  saw  him.  This  generally 
acts  as  an  evacuant  in  the  degree  required,  about  an 
hour  or  two  after  it  is  given.  At  the  end  of  three 
hours  T  repeated  the  dose  of  calomel.  At  the  end 
of  three  hours  more,the  same  quantity  is  given,  add- 
ing opium  or  not,  as  the  preceding  doses  have  acted. 
In  this  manner  ten  grains  of  calomel  were  given 
every  three  hours,  till  the  salivary  glands  became 
affected,  which  generally  happened  in  less  than  twen- 
ty-four hours  from  the  commencement  of  the  treat- 


r 


194 

merit,  if  it  was  faithfully  conducted.  The  effect 
of  the  medicine  given  in  this  manner,  may  be  per- 
ceived after  the  third  dose  in  general ;  the  patient 
becoming  calmer,  less  restless,  less  anxious  ;  his 
skin  being  softer,  and  possessed  of  an  agreeable  heat ; 
the  stomach  being  perfectly  retentive,  however  irri 
table  it  might  have  been  before  ;  and  the  eyes  reco- 
vering their  former  lustre  and  sensibility.  When  at 
length  salivation  takes  place,  the  patient  is  left  free 
from  disease,  with  a  moderate  warm  moisture  on  his 
skin;  and  very  soon  after  signs  of  returning  health 
pre  indicated,  by  calls  for  food,  &x.  The  recovery 
of  strength  is  proportionally  rapid  to  that  from  dis- 
ease ;  nor  is  it  at  all  necessary  to  have  recourse  to 
bark,  or  any  other  medicine  whatsoever;  a  circum- 
stance truly  gratifying  both  to  the  patient  and  the 
physician,  in  a  disease  wherein  nature  revolts  at  the 
very  idea  of  it." 

BLOOD-LETTING  IN  YELLOW  FEVER. 

The  following  facts  afford  the  most  conclusive 
evidence  of  the  efficacy  of  this  remedy  in  yellow  fever, 
when  timely  arad  sufficiently  used.  The  malignity 
of  the  disease  on  this  occasion,  is  proved  by  the 
mortality  which  took  place  under  the  first  mode  of 
treatment,  and  the  comparative  results  of  blood-let- 
ting exhibits  so  fair  and  full  a  proof  of  its  safety  and 
usefulness,  that  we  cannot  avoid  considering  this 
body  of  testimony  as  the  most  unexceptionable  and 
satisfactory,  that  ever  come  under  our  notice;  it  is 
extracted  from  the  Medical  and  Physical  Journal,  for 
the  month  oi:  June  last. 

"  A  successful  method  of  treating  Yellow  Fever  at  its 
commencement.... Communicated  May  25th,  1803, 
by  Dr.  H  arness,  commissioner  for  sick  andzvound- 
ed  seamen. 

"  Lieutenant  Douglas,  of  the  25th  Reg.  relates. 


19* 

that  he  embarked  on  board  the  Chichester  store-ship, 
at  Jamaica,  for  England,  with  one  hundred  and 
eighty  men,  seventy  four  of  whom  died  on  the  pas- 
sage previous  to  their  reaching  Halifax,  in  North 
America,  exclusive  of  the  captain,  two  lieutenants, 
surgeon  and  surgeon's  mate  of  the  ship.  In  conse- 
quence of  the  two  latter  having  fallen  victims  to  the 
disease,  lieutenant  Douglas  felt  himself  driven  to  the 
necessity  of  undertaking  the  treatment  of  the  sick  ; 
and  from  the  great  fatality  attendant  on  the  calo- 
mel and  purgative  plan,  pursued  by  the  late  surgeon 
and  his  mate,  he  (lieutenant  Douglas)  was  induced 
to  adopt  bleeding,  (as  recommended  hy  Dr.  Jack- 
son, and  as  had  been  suggested  in  lieutenant  Doug- 
las'  presence,  by  the  surgeon's  mate  of  the  6th  Regi- 
ment, a  short  time  previous  to  lieutenant  Douglas' 
leaving  Jamaica)  which  proved  to  be  productive  of 
the  happiest  effects,  as  will  evidently  appear  from 
the  following  statement. 

<c  Lieutenant  Douglas  relates  that  after  the  care 
of  the  sick  had  devolved  upon  him,  sixty-two  men 
(thirty-seven  of  whom  were  seamen)  were  attacked 
with  the  symptoms  of  yellow  fever,  the  whole  of 
whom  recovered  by  bleeding.  Three  others  were 
likewise  bled,  but  he  observes,  so  late  in  the  disease, 
or  not  until  the  symptoms  of  fever  were  so  fully  es- 
tablished, as  not  to  be  within  reach  of  the  remedy." 

Lieutenant  Douglas  remarks,  the  success  in  treat- 
ing the  disease  was  so  evident  to  the  troops  and 
ship's  company,  that  after  a  short  time,  they  would 
on  being  taken  ill,  apply  to  be  bled  ;  and  lieutenant 
Douglas  became  so  confident  of  its  good  effects,  if 
had  recourse  to  at  the  onset  of  the  disease,  as  to  in- 
duce him  to  give  particular  directions  to  be  called  in 
the  night,  should  any  one  be  seized  with  the  leading 
symptoms  of  the  disease  ;  and  in  every  case  (the  three 
alluded  to  excepted)  he  had  the  happiness  to  see 


196 

every  symptom  give  way  or  diminished,  and  unfa- 
vorable appearances,  by  one,  two  or  three  repeated 
bleedings,  performed  at  intervals  of  a  few  hours,  as 
the  necessity  of  the  remaining  symptoms  indicated. 

Lieutenant  Douglas  not  being  educated  to  the 
profession,  and  consequently,  ignorant  of  the  doses 
of  medicine,  was  induced  to  hare  recourse  to  clys- 
ters, when  the  procuring  of  evacuations  appeared 
necessary ;  on  which,  with  bleeding,  as  beforemen- 
tioned,  he  rested  the  whole  means  of  cure. 

A  List  of  Deaths  of  various  diseases  which  have 
occurred  in  the  city  of  New- York,  in  the  years  1803, 
1804  and  1805,  during  the  months  of  August,  Sep- 
tember and  October. 

In  1803,  1256,  of  whom  606  were  of  Malignant 
Fever. 

In  1804,  783. 

In  1805,  934,  of  whom  302  were  of  Malignant 


Fe 


ver 


THE  END 


